Marine Zone

Crabbing and Clamming

Dec 4, 2025

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

Announcements

Chinese mitten crab found in Willamette River

A second confirmed Chinese mitten crab, a prohibited species in Oregon, was found and reported to ODFW on November 17 in the Willamette River near Sellwood Bridge. The first mitten crab was caught on April 22 in the Lower Columbia River. Mitten crabs caused significant infrastructure and ecological damage in and around San Francisco Bay when the population was at its height in the late 1990s and it is illegal to possess and sell mitten crabs in Oregon. It is important to correctly identify this species and report it to the Oregon Invasive Species hotline online or by calling 1-866-INVADER or to your local ODFW office with the location found. ODFW encourages the public to keep an eye out for mitten crab. Read the news release for more information.

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 check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures.

Grab a shovel or rake and your shellfish license. Butter, cockle and gaper clams are waiting to be dug. During fall and winter, negative low tides suitable for clamming occur in the evenings. Monitor the weather forecast, and the swell and surf advisories before going out to make sure you can safely clam. Clammers should be mindful of safety while clamming at 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

Take a bay clamming trip with Mitch Vance, to 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 habitat 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 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 20 mph 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

Harvesters should expect to see a good number of clams throughout Clatsop Beach. The majority of the clams are 2 ½ to 3 inches long with a few larger than 4 inches. Being selective in the show a harvester digs will be very important this fall and winter. For the best chance at a larger clam, target the largest shows – the ones that are bigger than a nickel. Clammers need to remember to keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition.

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 post 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.

Crabbing in Newport is fair. Crabbing in Waldport has been good. Crab quality is good as shells have hardened and are full of meat.

When there has been a lot of rain, crabbing in bays is typically not good since the surge of fresh water from the rivers forces the crab to retreat to the saltier water of the ocean.

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 5 spines down each side of their body (carapace). They are not always green and color is not a good identifying feature. 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.