Join us to experience firsthand the benefits of clean water, a direct result of best agricultural practices that support healthy shellfish populations!
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Sustainable farming practices—such as proper nutrient management, erosion control, and livestock exclusion from streams—help protect our waterways from pollution and runoff. These practices ensure clean water flows to local shellfish growing areas, creating safe and thriving environments for clams and oysters. By participating, you'll learn how responsible land use upstream supports the health of shellfish populations and local ecosystems.
Bayshore Preserve is a 78-acre property managed by Capitol Land Trust. The marine and freshwater ecosystems of Bayshore Preserve provide important habitat for several species of salmon, marine mammals, and a multitude of waterfowl and bird species. Capitol Land Trust will be on-site for the Guided Shellfish Dig. Come learn more about this property and the other Natural Areas Capitol Land Trust conserves.
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October 26th, 2024
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This project is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. The CCA puts cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
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This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89801 to the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Know Before you Go
Step 1: Make sure you are licensed. You may purchase a license online or the following Shelton retailers: FRED MEYER, VERLE'S LLC, and WALMART.
If you are only planning to harvest on this day we recommend the 1-Day Combination Fishing License for $9.35.
Step 2: Ensure you are properly equipped. A good pair of rubber boots and a rain jacket are staples for any PNW recreation, especially for shellfish digging. You may also want rubber palm gloves to reach into holes.
Native Littlenecks and Manila Clams live only 2-4 inches below the surface, so a small rake or garden trowel is usually effective for harvesting. Since you must refill any holes you make while digging, a smaller trowel means a smaller hole to fill.
A mesh bag makes it easy to rinse clams before leaving the beach, but any collection container will work. A bucket with a tight-fitting lid will make transporting and purging water easier as well.
Oysters must be shucked, and shells must be left at the beach. Unless you plan on eating all your oysters on-site, we recommend you bring a bag or dish to transport your shucked oysters.
Step 3: Review harvesting regulations.
Native Little Necks, Manilas, Butters, and Cockles all must be 1.5 inches or larger to keep. A shellfish gauge is recommended for determining size. Oysters must be 2.5 inches across the widest part of the shell.
The daily person limit is up to 40 clams, not to exceed 10 pounds in the shell, and 18 Oysters.
Each person must use a separate harvesting container but can share tools, and can share transporting buckets as long as each person’s harvest is in separate bags.
Step 4: Before joining harvest, check the current DOH status of the area in which you will be harvesting
If you are only planning to harvest on this day we recommend the 1-Day Combination Fishing License for $9.35.
Step 2: Ensure you are properly equipped. A good pair of rubber boots and a rain jacket are staples for any PNW recreation, especially for shellfish digging. You may also want rubber palm gloves to reach into holes.
Native Littlenecks and Manila Clams live only 2-4 inches below the surface, so a small rake or garden trowel is usually effective for harvesting. Since you must refill any holes you make while digging, a smaller trowel means a smaller hole to fill.
A mesh bag makes it easy to rinse clams before leaving the beach, but any collection container will work. A bucket with a tight-fitting lid will make transporting and purging water easier as well.
Oysters must be shucked, and shells must be left at the beach. Unless you plan on eating all your oysters on-site, we recommend you bring a bag or dish to transport your shucked oysters.
Step 3: Review harvesting regulations.
Native Little Necks, Manilas, Butters, and Cockles all must be 1.5 inches or larger to keep. A shellfish gauge is recommended for determining size. Oysters must be 2.5 inches across the widest part of the shell.
The daily person limit is up to 40 clams, not to exceed 10 pounds in the shell, and 18 Oysters.
Each person must use a separate harvesting container but can share tools, and can share transporting buckets as long as each person’s harvest is in separate bags.
Step 4: Before joining harvest, check the current DOH status of the area in which you will be harvesting
Additional Resources
| wdfw-and-doh-bivalve-shellfish-identification-handout-aug-2023-0.pdf |
WDFW Licensing
fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/customer/catalog?residentTypeId=2
fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/customer/catalog?residentTypeId=2
Harvest Tide Chart
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/fishing/shellfishing/WDFWBestClamOysterHarvestTides.pdf
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/fishing/shellfishing/WDFWBestClamOysterHarvestTides.pdf
WDFD Shellfish Blog
https://wdfw.medium.com/spring-is-the-optimum-time-to-gather-oysters-on-puget-sound-and-hood-canal-beaches-f229b39364b9
https://wdfw.medium.com/clamming-on-washingtons-beaches-is-fun-for-everyone-and-a-year-round-affair-98320ed0f125
https://wdfw.medium.com/spring-is-the-optimum-time-to-gather-oysters-on-puget-sound-and-hood-canal-beaches-f229b39364b9
https://wdfw.medium.com/clamming-on-washingtons-beaches-is-fun-for-everyone-and-a-year-round-affair-98320ed0f125