Learn recreational harvesting rules basics for intertidal clams, mussels, and oysters (PDF). This two-page guide is translated into nine languages in the "Shellfish gathering rules" section below.
NEW RULES in effect starting April 1, 2026: The minimum size for cockles is 2 1/2 inches (formerly 1 1/2 inches; no changes to minimum size for other clams). The daily limit for geoduck is now one per person per day (formerly three per person per day). While the pamphlet will not capture these changes until the new one is published July 1, these rules are now in effect.
Clam, mussel, and oyster harvesting seasons vary by beach. Refer to the WDFW pamphlet for full statewide shellfish and seaweed rules.
For at-a-glance, site-specific harvest seasons, please review our 2026 Puget Sound clam, mussel, and oyster season (PDF) guide or use the search tool at the bottom of this page.
A list of good harvest tides in the Puget Sound can be found in our 2026 best clam and oyster harvest tides (PDF) chart.
Harvesting shellfish legally and safely
WDFW works closely with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to ensure safe, legal harvest of shellfish on state beaches. To safely and legally harvest shellfish for human consumption, both the DOH health status and the WDFW season for a public beach must be OPEN.
| DOH status | WDFW season | Harvest status |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Open | Safe and legal |
| Open | Closed | Illegal |
| Closed | Open | Not safe |
| Closed | Closed | Not safe and illegal |
Current water quality information, beach locations, harvest seasons, and health advisories can be found by searching for the beach name in the "Find a beach" tool below, or by visiting the DOH's shellfish safety interactive map.
Identical information is found on WDFW beach pages and the shellfish safety map, but it may be easier to search geographic areas of interest using the map tool. The shellfish safety map also provides links to the detailed WDFW page for each beach.
Shellfish gathering rules
NEW RULES in effect starting April 1, 2026: The minimum size for cockles is 2 1/2" (formerly 1 1/2"; no changes to minimum size for other clams). The daily limit for geoduck is now 1 geoduck per person per day (formerly 3 per person per day). While the pamphlet will not capture these changes until the new one is published July 1, these rules are now in effect.
For detailed rules, refer to the Shellfish/Seaweed Species Rules in the Washington Sport Fishing Regulations.
In addition to license requirements and harvest seasons, there are minimum size limits, daily limits, and more regulations--and these may vary by species. Harvesters are responsible for knowing regulations before they pursue harvest of clams, mussels, and oysters.
Each recreational shellfish harvester must use a separate container and must be actively participating in shellfish gathering. Digging equipment may be shared.
Unfilled clam gathering holes and sediment piles can damage habitat and kill clams. Clam harvesters must refill holes created while digging. To reduce clam mortality, please push any undersized or discarded clams into the refilled holes.
In Washington, private tidelands owners may have their own rules for clams, mussels, and oysters on their lands. Proposed state rule changes do not extend to bivalve shellfish on private tidelands.
For recreational harvesting basics, review the Intertidal clams, mussels, and oysters handout (PDF).
This two-page guide is translated into nine languages below.
- 简体中文 Chinese (simplified) - 潮间带蛤蜊、 贻贝和牡蛎 (PDF)
- 繁體中文 Chinese (traditional) - 潮間帶蛤蜊、貽貝和牡蠣 (PDF)
- 日本語 Japanese - 潮間帯の二枚貝、ムラサキイ貝、カキ (PDF)
- 한국어 [韓國語] Korean - 조간대서식 조개, 홍합및 굴 (PDF)
- Русский Russian - Двустворчатые моллюски, мидии и устрицы в приливно-отливной зоне (PDF)
- Español Spanish - Almejas, mejillones y ostras intermareales (PDF)
- Tagalog Tagalog - Mga intertidal na tulya, tahong, at talaba (PDF)
- українська Ukrainian - Молюски міжприливної зони: глибинки, мідії та устриці (PDF)
- Tiếng Việt Vietnamese - Sò, trai, và hàu ở vùng thủy triều (PDF)
Shellfish gathering tips and identification
Learn more and find shellfish gathering tips, including gear lists, in this 5-part blog series:
- Steamer clams (Manila and native littleneck)
- Butter clams and Horse clams
- Cockles and Eastern softshell clams
- Geoduck
- Oysters, including tips on how to remove them from their shells (shuck)
- Or visit our "Wild Eats" webpage for clam and shellfish recipes.
For help identifying clam, mussel, and oyster (bivalve) species, download our shellfish identification chart (PDF).
More detailed information about clam and oyster species may be found by visiting the Species in Washington section of this website.
Shellfish Treaty Rights FAQ
Treaty tribes reserve rights in treaties to harvest shellfish on most Washington tidelands and beaches.
Visit the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission’s frequently asked questions page for information regarding tribal rights to harvest naturally occurring shellfish on public and private tidelands in the Puget Sound and Hood Canal regions.
Find a beach
To find a beach to harvest clams, mussels, and oysters, enter all or part of a beach name and/or select a county from the dropdown menu below.