When Is the Best Time to Go Clamming?

December 31, 2015

Question: When is the best season to enjoy clamming? (Julie S.)

Answer: There really is no best season for clamming. Generally, any really low tide during daytime hours with minimal surf and decent weather is a good time. There are specific seasons for taking of Pismo clams and razor clams in specific areas, so please check the regulations before venturing out for these clams.

The hours of take for clams are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No instruments capable of taking clams (shovels, hoes, rakes, etc.) may be possessed on the beach during closed hours. It may be safer to go clamming from November through April, as biotoxins may be concentrated in filter-feeding bivalves (such as mussels and clams) from May through October especially. For more information about biotoxins, please visit the California Department of Public Health website at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/pages/shellfish.aspx.

The most reliable daylight low tides are april through july.  There are a scattering outside of those months, but they can be few and far between.  Diving for pismos or collecting cockles at mid tide lines are exceptions of course. 

I don't think she answered this question very thoughtfully.

I was taught to only clam in months containing the letter "R". September thru April, though I prefer November thru March.

I was taught to only clam in months containing the letter "R". September thru April, though I prefer November thru March.

       Agree,,,  I thought that too,,  wouldn't that would be the safest way to avoid Demoic  ( red tide ) poision.?

I was taught to only clam in months containing the letter "R". September thru April, though I prefer November thru March.

       Agree,,,  I thought that too,,  wouldn't that would be the safest way to avoid Demoic  ( red tide ) poision.?

Isn't that closer associated with the mussel season.

I was taught to only clam in months containing the letter "R". September thru April, though I prefer November thru March.

       Agree,,,  I thought that too,,  wouldn't that would be the safest way to avoid Demoic  ( red tide ) poision.?

Isn't that closer associated with the mussel season.

Yeah thats for mussels and avoiding PSP, which is not the same thing as domoic acid poisoning.  That is why there is a mussel quarantine every year, and it does roughly correlate to the months with R adage.