Recreational Shellfish Harvesting
Basic Rules
? A shellfish/seaweed
license is required for all shellfish and seaweed harvest (with the
exception of crawfish).
? The license
must be displayed on the outside of clothing while harvesting
and during transport.
? Harvester may
possess only one daily limit in fresh form.
? Each digger
must have a separate container.
? Clams can be
dug by hand or by hand-operated fork, rake or shovel. Digging
equipment can be shared.
? Undersized
clams should be placed 2-4” down into the dug hole and
covered to reduce mortality.
Manila Clams
Size limit: 1½” minimum
Catch limit: 40 clams or 10 lbs. in shell, whichever comes first (all
species combined)
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: None
Native Littleneck Clams
Size limit: 1½” minimum
Catch limit: 40 clams or 10 lbs. in
shell, whichever comes first (all
species combined)
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: None
Cockle Clams
Size limit: 1½” minimum
Catch limit: 40 clams or 10 lbs. in shell, whichever comes first (all
species combined)
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: None
Butter Clams
Size limit: 1½” minimum
Catch limit: 40 clams or 10 lbs. in
shell, whichever comes first (all
species combined)
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: None
Eastern Softshell Clams
Size limit: None
Catch limit: Must be kept regardless of size or condition
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: See catch limit
Pacific Oysters
Size limit: 2½” minimum
Catch limit: 18, shucked, leave shells on beach
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: Harvest in less than 2’ of water, by and or with
hand-held manual prying tool. No hammers.
Mussels
Size limit: None
Catch limit: 10 lbs. in shell
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: None
Horse Clams
Size limit: None
Catch limit: 7 daily
Harvest time: Year-round
Special rules: Must take the
first 7 clams dug
Dungeness crab
Size limit: 6¼”
Catch limit: 6 males, daily
Harvest time: Dependent on shell condition and allocation, call(1-866-880-5431)
Special rules: Must release all softshell. Catch record card required.
Important Numbers:
Marine Biotoxin Hotline- 1-800-562-5632
State Department of Health- (360) 236-3330
Whatcom County Health and Human Services- (360) 676-6724
State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (Shellfish Hotline)- 1-866-880-5431
For
a complete set of regulations (including harvesting for
shellfish, crab, shrimp, seaweed, etc.), go to: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/regs/fishregs.htm
To find out where to purchase a license, go to: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/lic/vendors/vendors.htm