Do you need a license to harvest mussels in California?

Asked by: Lisa Seggelke

An individual is permitted to gather up to 10 pounds of mussels a day with a fishing license, so a scale may be in order, but few other tools are permitted, as California law requires mussels to be gathered by hand; no crowbars, trowels, or other tools are allowed.

Can you harvest mussels in California?

The recreational season for California sea mussel(opens in new tab) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round. Currently, mussels should only be collected for non-consumptive uses (for example, fish bait).

Do you need a fishing license to harvest mussels in California?

You can forage for mussels along the California coast legally with a California fishing license. The legal daily limit for mussels is 10 pounds and you must carry a scale with you. Do not use tools to scrape mussels off rocks. This damages the mussel beds and is prohibited for mussel collecting.

Can you eat mussels from the beach in California?

All commercial shellfish harvesters in California must be certified by the State and are subject to strict testing requirements. The safest guideline to follow is: Do not eat mussels from California coastal waters collected by sports harvesters from May 1 through October 31.

Are you allowed to pick mussels?

The rule is to only pick mussels when there’s an ‘R’ in the month. This applies to a lot of shellfish as it gives them a chance to spawn in the summer months. If you’re going foraging, make sure you pick your beach wisely and make sure that there is no sewage outlet into the sea.

Can you eat mussels picked from the beach?

Scrub mussels under running clean water to remove barnacles etc. Cook mussels as soon after picking as possible (and cook them well – but this still does not remove the toxins from algal blooms) Do not eat any mussels that do not open fully after cooking (but read this article too)

Are California mussels edible?

The California mussel (Mytilus californianus) is a large edible mussel, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mytilidae.

How many mussels can you take?

Mussels (kuku or kūtai, Perna canaliculus) grow in clumps on rocks or wharf piles. The daily limit is 50 per person, and as with other shellfish that do not have a stated minimum size, larger ones are usually harvested.

Do you need a license to dig clams in California?

Clamming Regulations and Licenses



The California Department of Fish and Wildlife requires clam diggers to have a valid sport-fishing license. Anglers and people harvesting invertebrates and crustaceans also must follow bag and size limits.

Can you eat mussels from San Francisco Bay?

You can harvest mussels or clams along the Pacific coastline. Between May and October, mussels and clams from this area can make you very sick, so do not eat mussels or clams from this area during those months.

When can you gather mussels?

The best time to harvest mussels is at low tide as the mussels are usually larger there and have been fully submerged for longer. To make sure you catch the tide at the right time, grab yourself a tide chart. This will indicate the tide height and times at each location. Remember that this differs from place to place.

What months Can you pick mussels?

Peak season for fresh mussels is October to March. You can buy mussels in their shells year round. You can also buy them shelled – these are frozen, smoked or bottled in brine or vinegar.

Can you eat mussels from a lake?

Although freshwater mussels aren’t edible—they’re tough and taste bad—there are freshwater mussel fisheries that serve an industry for buttons and pearls worth a few million dollars each year in the U.S. What’s more, ecologists estimate the invertebrates provide millions of dollars of services to the environment.

Are freshwater mussels protected?

The mussels have declined by nearly 70 percent because of water pollution and dams, and remaining populations are at high risk of extinction. They were protected under the Endangered Species Act in 2012, but the Fish and Wildlife Service did not designate protected critical habitat for protection as required by law.

How do you clean freshwater mussels?

Make sure the shells are undamaged tightly closed and don't stink. Pull off the beard that comes out of the shell.