Big Minus Tides And One Last Chance At Clatsop Razor Clams

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

A low tide series begins Friday through the Fourth of July holiday giving clammers a last chance to harvest this year’s “super-sized” razor clams before the conservation closure begins 12:01 a.m. July 15 on Clatsop beaches.

Many Oregonians and travelers visit the Oregon Coast in summer, and clamming is a favorite activity. ODFW encourages visitors to take advantage of the low tide series and harvest these large clams now while they can. Since 1967, Clatsop beaches close each year July 15-Sept. 30 for conservation. This lets young clams settle on the beaches and provide future harvest opportunities. 

Razor clamming currently is open from the Washington border to Tillamook Head and from the north jetty of the Siuslaw River to Seal Rock. The remainder of the coast remains closed due to elevated domoic acid levels.

Know before you go:

• You must have a shellfishing license.
• Call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-448-2474.
• Daily limit: first 15 clams dug, regardless of size or condition.
• Each digger must have their own container, dig their own clams, and can only have one limit in possession while in the clam digging area (see exception under an Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit.)

Clam diggers can check Clatsop tide charts and go to ODFW’s clamming page for more information on razor clamming.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.