Identifying Clams in the Delta

January 11, 2018

Question: What type of clams are in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta? I see the small blackish ones and sometimes a type of razor clam. I grew up using them for bait, but now I hear that people eat them. Are they safe to eat? Is there a season or limit on them? (Kathleen B.)

Answer: The types of clams found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are the Amur River clam (Corbula amurensis) and the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea). The Amur River clam is found in saltier portions of the Delta, while the Asian clam inhabits freshwater sections. Both are safe to eat in accordance with safe-eating guidelines found in the 2017/2018 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, beginning on page 45. A sport fishing license is required to harvest clams and the daily bag limit for clams taken in inland waters is 50 pounds in the shell (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 5.20). The season is open all year and clams may only be taken by hand, or by spade, shovel, hoe, rake or other appliance operated by hand.

Please note that the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, which issues safe eating advisories, has a standing advisory from 2013 to avoid fish and shellfish from the Port of Stockton due to mercury and other chemicals in the water.