Where can I dig for clams in Bay Area?

Asked by: Eddie Muller

If you’re going to a beginner-friendly bay area on the west coast, you should consider clamming in Bodega Bay as it’s one of the best places to start your clamming experience.

Where do you find clams in the bay?

To search for clams on the shore, look for coin-sized depressions and water spurting out of the hole. Once you’ve found a potential spot, dig directly below the depression, pull out the clam, and place it in a sealable bucket. After properly storing your clams, you’ll be able to make a fresh and delicious seafood meal.

Where can I dig clams in Northern California?

There are very few bays in Northern California that can support the recreational harvest of large clams, such as gapers (Tresus sp.) and butter clams (Saxidomus sp.), two of these are Humboldt and Tomales bays.

Where can you dig for clams in California?

Pacific littleneck clams are found all along the coast of California. They are found in sandy mud and near rocks and reefs, about 6 inches below the surface. The best places to find Pacific littlenecks are Bodega and Tomales bays, in Los Angeles and southern Orange counties, and Malibu Point.

When can you dig for clams in California?

(a) Open season: May be taken in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties September 1 through April 30. In all other counties, except in state marine reserves or other marine protected areas which prohibit the take of clams (see Section 632), Pismo clams may be taken at any time of the year.

How do you know where to dig for clams?

Anything beyond that you're probably not going to find to me. So if you're finding that you're at the five to eight inch mark maybe just move along a little bit to the left to the right.

Can you clam in Bodega Bay?

Clamming is also available in Bodega Bay! For those who do not own a boat, or worry about traffic and parking concerns in Dillon Beach we recommend checking it out. Free public parking is available along Westshore Rd, and ability to walk out on the mudflats that become exposed during low tides along the road.

Where can I forage clams in the Bay Area?

Get the required fishing license



Different states require different licenses to go clamming, but they’re usually very easy to obtain. If you’re going to a beginner-friendly bay area on the west coast, you should consider clamming in Bodega Bay as it’s one of the best places to start your clamming experience.

Where can I dig clams in Tomales Bay?

You’ll be clamming on the sandbars in the northern part of Tomales Bay, closer to the mouth of it. Those will appear when the tide is 0.5 or lower. Plan on hitting the sandbars at least one hour before the low tide. You’ll (probably) be able to stay out one hour after the low tide.

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 dig for clams in Morro Bay?

Yes, but you must have a fishing license and must follow guidelines for size and quantity if you want to remove any from the beach. According to state law: Clams must measure 4 1/2″ in diameter before they can be taken.

What clams are in Bodega Bay?

Two classes of clam are legal to sport fish in California: gaper clams and Washington clams, both of them commonly harvested along the mud flats in Bodega Bay and, especially, Tomales Bay in Marin County.

What months are best to dig clams?

However, most digging occurs from April through September. The “table quality” of the clam is generally considered best in early summer, just prior to the July-August spawning. On the northern beaches, razor clam beds are exposed on any minus tide. However, tides of -2.0 feet or lower are suggested.

Are there clams in California?

In addition to oysters, California’s coastline is also home to a number of clam species including the gaper clam, Pacific razor clam, Pismo clam, butter clams, native littleneck, and Manila clam. California is also home to the native geoduck clam, which ranges from southern Alaska to Baja, California.

Where can clams be found?

Soft shell clams live in the intertidal zone, the wet area exposed between high and low tide. Clams are under the water during high tide and are uncovered on the tide flats during low tide. To protect themselves clams burrow down in the mud and sand using their foot.

How low of a tide Do you need to go clamming?

Each beach varies as to how low the tide needs to be to expose the clam and oyster beds. A +2′ low tide (preferably during daylight hours) is the threshold for several beaches. A +2′ may only give you a short window before the tide floods; a +1′ or a 0′ will give you a longer window to forage.

Where is the best place to go clamming?

Start by looking in bays and estuaries that get plenty of tidal flow. Clams live in a variety of conditions, including sand, mud, and even rocky areas, though I favor locations that feature more of a muddy/sandy bottom. Drive around to likely areas at low tide and seek out other clammers.

What should I bring clamming?

A shovel – Not everyone wants a shovel when they go clamming, but if you bring one make sure it’s sturdy and ready for digging through wet, rocky sand. Boots – You can wear rubber boots or old sneakers to go clamming, but whatever you wear will get wet.

Can you clam at high tide?

(as) happy as a clam at high tide



Very joyful and content. Clams are dug up at low tide, so a clam at high tide would be able to remain uncaught.

How do you dig small clams?

You just get a rake and rake. Break for them. No you don't have to go dirt out on the surface. So i'm good on a soft shell i'm going to go dig for cockles.

How do you dig a clam with a shovel?

If you’re digging with a clam shovel, you’ll want to place the blade about 6” away from the clam show on the side closest to the water with the handle pointed towards the shore. Push the blade deep into the sand, careful to keep the blade vertical so you don’t break the clam’s shell.

How deep do clams burrow?

Mechanical engineers find razor clams to be particularly appealing objects of study because, despite a lack of hands or claws, the bivalves can burrow through sand to a depth of two feet. “If you only have a shell that you can open one way, how do you dig?” Hosoi pointed out.

Where can I dig for razor clams?

So a bunch of little sand shrimp live underneath these little mounds and a lot of them look like razor clams but generally aren't you have to go a little bit past this to to get to the clams.

Where do you find razor clams on the beach?

Away from the prevailing winds and the big waves coming in so over here there's lots of waves coming in from the southwest. This Beach is facing away from the southwest.