Note: For current clam, oyster, and mussel beach seasons check wdfw.wa.gov/shellfish/beaches, the Shellfish Emergency Rule Change Hotline (866) 880-5431, or contact the WDFW customer service desk (360) 902-2700 to verify seasons.
RAZOR CLAM seasons occur only after clam samples have been tested by Washington Department of Health (DOH) and are found to be safe for human consumption. See page 128 of the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Is the harvesting season open? Read the rules for seasons, size, and bag limits. For beach seasons, check the website wdfw.wa.gov/shellfish/beaches, the toll-free WDFW Emergency Rule Change hotline (866) 880-5431 or contact the WDFW customer service desk (360) 902-2700 to verify seasons. A chart of current seasons can be downloaded here: wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/ WDFWBeachSeasonsBarChart.pdf
Does the beach meet standards for healthy eating? Some closures and advisories are shown on page 127. For more detailed information and current updates visit the Washington Department of Health website at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm, call (360) 236-3330 or the local health department. County health department phone numbers are published in the government pages of local telephone directories.
Is there an emergency closure due to Shellfish Poisoning (PSP/ASP/DSP) or Vibrio bacteria? Water quality conditions can change quickly. On the day you plan to harvest, check the DOH website at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm, call (360) 236-3330, or the Shellfish Safety toll-free Hotline at (800) 562-5632.
Two different state agencies are responsible for two different types of recreational shellfish harvest closures. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for conservation closures or season adjustments. These closures are designed to protect and conserve intertidal shellfish populations. The Washington Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for human health-related closures in response to potentially life-threatening environmental conditions, which result from PSP/ASP/DSP, Vibrio bacteria or pollution, as described in the Shellfish Safety section. Permanent DWFW/DOH closures and periodic DOH harvest advisories are shown in the chart below.
A combination or a Shellfish/Seaweek License is required for all shellfish (except CRAWFISH) and SEAWEED harvest. A catch record card, and endorsement is required to fish for DUNGENESS CRAB in Puget Sound. (See License Requirements on page 6 of the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet or the Puget Sound Dungeness Crab Endorsement definition).
One daily limit in fresh form. Addtional shellfish may be possessed in frozen or processed form.
Persons with a disability must have a designated harvester companion card issued by WDFW if using another harvester to assist them with their catch. The person harvesting the catch on behalf of the licensee with a disability must be in possession of the designated harvester companion card while assisting the person with a disability. Both the digger and the person with a disability must be licensed. The licensee is also required to be in the direct line of sight of the designated harvester who is harvesting shellfish for them. If this is not possible, the licensee is required to be within 1⁄4 mile of the designated harvester who is harvesting shellfish for them.
Most Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay beaches are privately owned. SHELLFISH and SEAWEED may not be taken from private beaches without the owner's or lessee's permission. Private tideland owners and lessees, and members of their immediate family (grandparents, parents, spouse, siblings, children, and grandchildren) are exempt from personal use daily limits when taking CLAMS, OYSTERS, and MUSSELS harvested for their own personal use from their own tidelands. Daily limits apply for all other shellfish, all other people, and all other beaches. Everyone harvesting shellfish in excess of the daily limit from private beaches for presumed commercial purposes needs a shellfish certification from the Department of Health (see RCW 69.30.010(8)).
For OCTOPUS Protection Areas, see Marine Area maps for closures:
Area 8-1: Deception Pass.
Area 10: Alki Beach Junk Yard, and Seacreast Park Coves 1, 2, and 3.
Area 11: Three Tree Point, Redondo Beach, and Les Davis.
Area 13: Days Island.
For all Shellfish Species, see Marine Area maps for closures:
Area 7: San Juan Islands Marine Preserve.
Area 9: Edmonds Public Fishing Pier, Brackett's Landing Shoreline Sanctuary, Keystone Conservation Area, and Admiralty Head Marine Preserve.
Area 10: Elliott Bay Public Fishing Pier, Orchard Rocks Conservation Area, Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, Discovery Park, Richey Viewpoint, Emma Schmitz Memorial, Lincoln Park, and Eagle Harbor.
Area 11: Des Moines Fishing Pier, Les Davis Fishing Pier, Colvos Passage Marine Preserve, City of Des Moines Park, and South 239th Street Park, and Saltwater State Park Marine Preserve.
Area 12: Sund Rock Conservation Area, Waketickeh Creek Conservation Area, and Octopus Hole Conservation Area.
Area 13: Saltar's Point Conservation Area, Titlow Beach Marine Preserve, and Z's Reef Marine Preserve.
The Department of Health (DOH) has harvest advisories on the following beaches. An advisory is placed on a beach that MAY be subject to periodic contamination from pollution sources or MAY intersect polluted areas. Before harvesting shellfish check the Department of Health’s website doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm, call (360) 236-3330, or contact the local county health department. For beach-specific information and other harvest rules and information, check the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches.
(avoid marina and mooring buoys)
(Oyhut Beach Approach)
(north end)
(Penn Cove)
(consumption advisory)
(N. Penn Cove)
(inside Crescent Harbor)
(inside Oak Harbor)