Marine Zone

Crabbing and Clamming

October 2, 2026

Announcements

Always check for closures at the ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting shellfish, which includes clams, crabs and mussels.

Advisory 

ODFW has issued a bay clam harvest advisory for Alsea Bay estuary. Read the news release for more information. 

Report commercial derelict crab pots

If you are out on the ocean or in the Columbia River from now through the beginning of October, please report coordinates of any commercial derelict crab pots you see by emailing Jill.M.Smith@odfw.oregon.gov. These reports are distributed to derelict gear recovery permitted participants, enabling them to target gear recovery efforts now that the commercial crab season is closed in the ocean.

Prohibited line markings in effect

Recreational crabbers are not required to mark their line but are prohibited from using certain line markings that are required in other fisheries. To read more about why and what is prohibited, visit our Marine Life Entanglement page.

Bay clams

Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting, for the most current information about shellfish safety closures.

During fall and winter, negative low tides suitable for clamming occur in the evenings. Clammers should be mindful of safety while clamming in the dark. Safety measures include not clamming in unfamiliar areas, bringing a reliable light source and avoiding clamming alone.

Check out the Where to Clam articles for places to find bay clams. You can also get more clamming maps here.

Beaver State Podcast: Bay clamming with Mitch Vance Learn about different clams and some of the challenges to be ready for when you clam.

Mussels

Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures.

Mussels, like clams, are filter feeders and those who like eating clams are likely to find mussels just as delicious. Mussels attach to rocks and other permanent habitats in the intertidal zone, so it is best to go looking for them during a low tide. When harvesting, wear gloves and use a twisting motion to pull mussels off rocks. Be careful when harvesting by the ocean and watch for sneaker waves. Each harvester will need a shellfish license and their own bucket. Learn more here.

Razor clams

Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures.

Fall and winter harvesting of razor clams on Clatsop Beach can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Unlike the spring and summer, low tides are in the evenings and at night when visibility is poor or nonexistent. Typical to the Oregon coast, the fall and winter brings large storm events, which keep the razor clams from "showing" as readily and can also be a safety risk with surging water and debris on the beach. Make sure to monitor swell and surf advisories as well as predicted wind prior to harvesting. Combined seas greater than 10 feet and winds greater than 20mph will make harvesting difficult for all, including the most experienced harvester. Fall and winter harvesting can be greatly improved if harvesters actively "stomp" or "pound" to make clams show. With winter storms, clams will not show as readily and need an added incentive to do so.

Clammers should plan to be on the beach at least two hours before low tide to ensure plenty of time for a successful harvest. Any low tide that is negative (the bigger the better) is sufficient to harvest clams if the seas are less than 10 feet. Clammers need to remember to keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition.

See this article for more information on razor clams, including how to harvest.

Clatsop beach

Clatsop Beach opened Oct 1, but closed on Oct 2, after samples returned toxic levels of Domoic Acid.

During an open season, harvesters should expect a below average abundance of razor clams with nearly all being larger mature clams (4.5" to 5"). Clammers should plan to be on the beach at least two hours before low tide to ensure plenty of time for a successful harvest. Any low tide that is negative is sufficient to harvest clams on Clatsop Beach if the seas are less than 10 feet. With fewer clams available compared to last year, clammers need to actively "stomp" or "pound" to get then to show and remember to retain the first 15 regardless of size or condition.

For more information on razor clams, such as how to harvest, please visit https://myodfw.com/articles/how-razor-clam. Clatsop Beach low tides can be found here, https://www.seasideor.com/tide-tables/.

Other beaches

Other areas such as Indian Beach (Cannon Beach); Cannon Beach; Cape Meares Beach (Tillamook); Agate Beach (North of Newport); North Beach and South Beach (Newport); Waldport Beach; North Umpqua Spit (Winchester Bay); Bastendorff Beach and North Spit (Coos Bay); Whiskey Run (Bandon); and Meyers Creek Beach (Gold Beach) will also have razor clams.

Oregon State Parks have tide tables posted on their website.

Crabs

Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures.

Port by port reports: 

All ports are seeing some soft, recently molted, male crab that should be filling with meat and hardening their shells as we enter fall. With the changing weather, lots of rain will cause a surge of fresh water from the rivers, forcing crab to retreat to the saltier water of the ocean, meaning bay crabbing may not be as successful at times.

• Tillamook: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and slow from the dock.
• Netarts: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and slow from the dock.
• Newport: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and good for red rock crab from the dock.
• Waldport: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and slow from the dock.
• Newport: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and slow from the dock.
• Charleston: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and fair from the dock.

Shore and dock crabbing can be a great year-round activity. A good tool to try is the "castable folding crab trap." Usually attached to a fishing pole, these traps are great for kids because they are lightweight and can catch crab within minutes. No heavy pulling or long wait times! They are available for purchase at most local stores. Happy crabbing!

Some crabbers in estuaries may also encounter non-native European green crab in their catch. While they look similar to Oregon's native shore crabs, identify them by the three prominent bumps between the eyes and five spines down each side of their body (carapace). Color is not a good identifying feature as they are not always green. The daily catch limit for European green crab is 35 per person per day. European green crab can be any size or sex. Learn more about this species.

Want to know more about the invasive green crab and how you can help? Check out Invasive European green crabs threaten Northwest shellfish industries produced by the Oregon Field Guide on PBS.