South Coast closed to crabbing

Recreational bay crabbing is closed from Cape Blanco to the CA border. Closure includes Dungeness crab and red rock crab harvested from bays and estuaries in this area.

Razor clamming closed Cascade Head to CA border

Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Softshell clam

Softshell clams are native to the East Coast, where they are an important commercial fishery. They are believed to have been introduced to Oregon in the late 1800s, timed with the attempt to begin a fishery for the eastern oyster. They are a good option for clammers wanting to explore upriver in less saline areas. 

a person holds a softshell clam over the sand

Features: Unlike gaper clams, softshell clams have no gape on their neck end. Softshell clams have a spoon like projection on the left valve, this feature is called a chondrophore.

Habitat: Brackish, muddy areas all along Oregon's coastline. Find softshells 12-18" depth. 

Technique: Softshells can be harvested by digging with either a shovel or clam gun. As the name suggests, they have soft or thin shells which are easy to break.‌ Although a clam with a broken shell is still good to eat, sharp edges of a broken shell can be very dangerous. Until you've refined your shoveling skills you may try very carefully grabbing them by hand once you dig near their depth.

Learn more here before getting started clamming. ‌‌

See Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for information on the daily catch limits for bay clams.‌

How to dig softshell clams (video)

Family clamming

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Current conditions and opportunities to crab and clam. Updated weekly by shellfish biologists.

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