Clam digging

[bcla]

Who's done it?

I was on vacation during my kid's spring break, visiting relatives living near Seattle. I was actually thinking about all the shellfish there and said something to my wife about digging clams. I wasn't sure what was involved or where to do it, but in the end I didn't think it was likely.

So the day I get there, my BIL says something about digging clams. He apparently had a favorite spot in Puget Sound to do it. He didn't have a current fishing license, so he went to a store to buy one for himself and my in-laws (who qualify for a senior license). I didn't particularly want to get a license since it was out of state and maybe $75. I figured I'd just observe, although the three kids among us didn't need licenses and could bag the same limit as adults.

This place wasn't that close, and I ended up driving his car there to this remote park. My mapping tool sent me to some weird roads too, but I finally got there while everyone was already busy. And man were there clams everywhere. Basically all they could find in this spot were Manila clams, but apparently the state places clam seed after the season is over. I'm not sure if all the exact procedures were followed (one seems to be that every digger must have an individual container to count clams towards the limit) but it did seem like a pretty fun day even if I didn't do any of the digging. They were also covered with mud, so they were washed and soaked in water for a couple of days before cooking.

We were eating those clams during the week, and it was just crazy. I don't know if they necessarily saved that much considering the distance, the parking fee, and the licenses, but those were some really good clams.

As a kid I used to go freshwater clam digging at this lake about 40 miles from home. I heard that a license wasn't required, but that could have been wrong info.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Wow! I didn't know you could get clams here by digging. How many clams do they allow per person? Personally I thought it was only done on the east coast. Learn something new everyday. Nice way to make fresh clam chowder

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

Who's done it?

I was on vacation during my kid's spring break, visiting relatives living near Seattle. I was actually thinking about all the shellfish there and said something to my wife about digging clams. I wasn't sure what was involved or where to do it, but in the end I didn't think it was likely.

So the day I get there, my BIL says something about digging clams. He apparently had a favorite spot in Puget Sound to do it. He didn't have a current fishing license, so he went to a store to buy one for himself and my in-laws (who qualify for a senior license). I didn't particularly want to get a license since it was out of state and maybe $75. I figured I'd just observe, although the three kids among us didn't need licenses and could bag the same limit as adults.

This place wasn't that close, and I ended up driving his car there to this remote park. My mapping tool sent me to some weird roads too, but I finally got there while everyone was already busy. And man were there clams everywhere. Basically all they could find in this spot were Manila clams, but apparently the state places clam seed after the season is over. I'm not sure if all the exact procedures were followed (one seems to be that every digger must have an individual container to count clams towards the limit) but it did seem like a pretty fun day even if I didn't do any of the digging. They were also covered with mud, so they were washed and soaked in water for a couple of days before cooking.

We were eating those clams during the week, and it was just crazy. I don't know if they necessarily saved that much considering the distance, the parking fee, and the licenses, but those were some really good clams.

As a kid I used to go freshwater clam digging at this lake about 40 miles from home. I heard that a license wasn't required, but that could have been wrong info.

This is basically what I do for a living, we catch and shuck oysters.

 

[JaxDad]

As a kid, I used to go clamming with my cousins in New Jersey. After water skiing, we would anchor in a shallow muddy area, then just wade around and find them with our feet. One person would have a burlap bag connected to a float plus a baseball mitt, and the rest of us would throw him the clams as we found them. We did have to have a license and we always got our limit. We pretty much always steamed them back then. I buy them at the store occasionally now and pop them on the grill with steaks to be the appetizer as I cook!

 

[usnuzuloose]

As a kid, I used to go clamming with my cousins in New Jersey. After water skiing, we would anchor in a shallow muddy area, then just wade around and find them with our feet. One person would have a burlap bag connected to a float plus a baseball mitt, and the rest of us would throw him the clams as we found them. We did have to have a license and we always got our limit. We pretty much always steamed them back then. I buy them at the store occasionally now and pop them on the grill with steaks to be the appetizer as I cook!

Do they require a license back east to go clamming? And how many are you allowed?

 

[JaxDad]

Do they require a license back east to go clamming? And how many are you allowed?

My only experience is in New Jersey. They required a clamming license when I would go there back in the 1980-90s. I did a quick search, and they still require licensing, although it is now a comprehensive shellfish license, not just a clamming license. The current recreational limit is 150 shellfish per person per day. There are also limits on when you can harvest and the minimum size of clams that can be harvested.

 

[bcla]

Wow! I didn't know you could get clams here by digging. How many clams do they allow per person? Personally I thought it was only done on the east coast. Learn something new everyday. Nice way to make fresh clam chowder

My folks used to take me digging for freshwater clams at Lake Berryessa. Don't know what the limit was, and it's way past the statute of limitations.

In Washington it's supposed to be 40 (up to 10 lbs) except for horse clams or geoducks. There's also some special rules for razor clams, with a special stamp and only a few legal places to dig. The minimum size for taking is supposed to be 1-1/2 inches, so 40 clams can be a lot. My group didn't have a ruler, so maybe the occasional one was undersized. When I buy farmed clams, they're almost never that size.

I don't think Manila clams reproduce in California since it's not cold enough.

 

[RedAngie]

I've gone clamming a handful of times, in the back bays at the New Jersey and Delaware coasts. Yes, a license is required. There are times when it's prohibited and there are harvest limits.

 

[bcla]

I've gone clamming a handful of times, in the back bays at the New Jersey and Delaware coasts. Yes, a license is required. There are times when it's prohibited and there are harvest limits.

In Washington, the license can be pretty useful if you're a state resident or a senior. The license cost triples if you're just a visitor. I think there is a one-day license, but it was still pretty expensive.

Over there it was 40 clams per day with a minimum size required. There wasn't a requirement for a report card, which there is for razor clams. I think any soft shell clam removed has to be taken because they won't usually survive being put back. Each beach has a season, and it's only something like two months at a time twice a year. It's also up to the state to determine if they'll close off digging based on safety (domoic acid levels). At that beach it was pretty easy for anyone to reach the limits.

That sand was just filled with Manila clams, and I didn't see anything else. It's not a native species, but it's apparently so important to the economy there that the state buys seed clams and disperses them in popular beaches.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think in your cost comparison you need to factor in that your family lives there and may well use the licenses more than once.

 

[bcla]

I think in your cost comparison you need to factor in that your family lives there and may well use the licenses more than once.

The senior license is $7.50. In-state is something like $27. Out of state is about $80. We did go to a state park with two vehicles and a $10 per car parking fee. Then there's gas. But it was about 25 lbs of clams. My wife said she preferred smaller ones because they're more tender, but these were actually quite good.

Mostly it was just supposed to be a fun day. The kids loved digging for clams, so how do you put a price on that?

 

[cabanafrau]

The senior license is $7.50. In-state is something like $27. Out of state is about $80. We did go to a state park with two vehicles and a $10 per car parking fee. Then there's gas. But it was about 25 lbs of clams. My wife said she preferred smaller ones because they're more tender, but these were actually quite good.

Mostly it was just supposed to be a fun day. The kids loved digging for clams, so how do you put a price on that?

Merely responding to your comment that with everything spent it wasn't really a cost savings to dig them yourselves. I agree that it wasn't about saving in the end, it was more about the experience.

 

[bcla]

Merely responding to your comment that with everything spent it wasn't really a cost savings to dig them yourselves. I agree that it wasn't about saving in the end, it was more about the experience.

It may actually get to a point where it makes economic sense, especially for someone living near a clam digging site. There's an annual parking pass.

But I suppose you need to love clams to do it.

I guess one of the things I'd like to see is geoduck digging. The limit is three per day, but they're huge.

 

[WorldWacky]

It's funny that this should be posted today. Just last night, my 12 yr. old son was asking me all about clamming and looking for mussels. We're camping right now and he's become obsessed with finding out all about it!
With all of my Googling last night, I've discovered that here on Long Island, you don't need a license unless you're harvesting for commercial purposes.

 

[mmouse37]

My uncle and cousin were professional clammers in Gloucester, Mass. I used to go with them sometimes when I was a kid...it is hard work!! My mom grew up in Gloucester and we would spend our summers up there. We would get up before the sun and boat there. Had to wear high boots and sometimes you would get stuck in the mud, bit by bugs, slice your fingers on the shells, etc. They did this every day and sold them but we had some great clam bakes back in the day!!! They also were lobstermen!! OMG the fried clams and lobster rolls were out of this world!!

MJ

 

[bcla]

My uncle and cousin were professional clammers in Gloucester, Mass. I used to go with them sometimes when I was a kid...it is hard work!! My mom grew up in Gloucester and we would spend our summers up there. We would get up before the sun and boat there. Had to wear high boots and sometimes you would get stuck in the mud, bit by bugs, slice your fingers on the shells, etc. They did this every day and sold them but we had some great clam bakes back in the day!!! They also were lobstermen!! OMG the fried clams and lobster rolls were out of this world!!

MJ

What are East Coast clams like? I have vague memories of the freshwater clams that we used to dig. Mostly what's available at fish markets around here are non-native Manila clams. Maybe some native littlenecks and cherrystones.

They weren't terribly efficient using garden trowels and rakes. I think one person could probably get the limit with just a garden shovel. However, I think they had more fun doing it a little at a time.

I've looked into oyster collecting too. In Washington, the only legal way to do it is to have an oyster knife and shuck the meat into a container. The shells are supposed to be tossed back to help as a substrate for other oysters. The max one can collect is a full quart jar. So I guess it's not going to be like having oysters on the half shell.

 

[mmouse37]

What are East Coast clams like? I have vague memories of the freshwater clams that we used to dig. Mostly what's available at fish markets around here are non-native Manila clams. Maybe some native littlenecks and cherrystones.

They weren't terribly efficient using garden trowels and rakes. I think one person could probably get the limit with just a garden shovel. However, I think they had more fun doing it a little at a time.

I've looked into oyster collecting too. In Washington, the only legal way to do it is to have an oyster knife and shuck the meat into a container. The shells are supposed to be tossed back to help as a substrate for other oysters. The max one can collect is a full quart jar. So I guess it's not going to be like having oysters on the half shell.

They look like this when steamed:

https://www.thespruce.com/varieties-of-clam-1808799

• Quahog Clam (also Quahaug): Its name is derived from the Narraganset Indian word poquauhock, found in English texts as far back as 1753. Also known as the round clam, this is an East coast favorite. Generally recommended for eating raw and in chowders, depending on the size. Quahogs are hermaphrodites, meaning they are born of the male sex and change to female as they mature, remaining female for the rest of their lives. Smaller clams are best for eating raw. Quahogs also include Littlenecks and Cherrystones, which are simply smaller in size.

And look like this when fried....

https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-england/best-fried-clams-in-new-england/

Both way are delicious!!!

The clam fork I remember them using looks like this:

http://www.nshoremag.com/March-April-2013/Clamming-Fried-Clams-and-Woodmans-of-Essex/

MJ

 

[low-key]

you know I would love to see this oldie but goodie

 

[bcla]

They look like this when steamed:

https://www.thespruce.com/varieties-of-clam-1808799

We liked our Manila clams Asian style. Just stir fried with green onions and ginger. Something like this:

They were naturally salty, so we didn't need to add anything else. I actually got some Huy Fong Sriracha to make mine spicy, but the kids didn't like it.

I'm not sure what we would have done with geoducks. Those are almost all siphon.

 

[bcla]

The one thing I don't get is why more people don't eat the adductor muscle. What most people think of as scallop meat is just a huge adductor muscle. When I eat clams I make sure to scrape that off and eat it. I remember an episode of Bizarre Foods where the host was treated to one farmed giant clam eaten raw. The first thing he was offered was the adductor muscle.