Prolific Clamming Area on N. Oregon Coast Closes Soon for Annual Conservation

Published 07/08/26 at 6:25 p.m.
By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – Get'em while you can. In a week, you won't be able to snag any more of the coveted razor clams in one really prolific part of the Oregon coast. (Photo Seaside Aquarium)

Clatsop County’s razor-clam season will shut down July 15 as state wildlife managers begin the annual summer closure aimed at protecting young clams and preserving future harvests.

It's the final countdown (to borrow from the old song): the last day to dig on Clatsop beaches is July 14. The shutdown, which runs through Sept. 30, gives juvenile razor clams time to establish and grow on Oregon’s most productive stretch of coastline. ODFW says the pause is critical for maintaining long-term population strength.

Seaside to the mouth of the Columbia River contains 90% of the state's razor clam population.

Digging is expected to reopen October 1, although that would depend on routine biotoxin testing.

ODFW said clammers looking for alternatives during the closure can head to open beaches near Cannon Beach, Newport, Florence and Coos Bay.

ODFW reminds harvesters to check conditions before heading out. The Shellfish Safety Hotline at 800-448-2474 provides real-time biotoxin updates, which can change quickly. A shellfishing license is required, and the daily limit remains the first 15 clams dug. Each digger must collect their own clams and keep only one limit while on the beach.

This conservation closure has been in place since 1967, though its reopening on October 1 is not always guaranteed. Between 2020 and 2021, a harmful algae bloom prompted a year-long razor clamming shutdown along the north coast. Domoic acid has delayed other openings as well, but luckily not as lengthy as in 2021.

Then in 2024, 20 people got severely ill from eating mussels containing PSP. Subsequent discoveries of elevated levels of that biotoxin and domoic acid in other areas caused the entire Oregon coast to be shut down to harvesting for fun. Even some commercial areas that produced mussels were closed, as well as the two bays where mussels could be found on the Washington coast.

It was the most comprehensive shut down ever of shellfish on the coast for health reasons.

Luckily, the last two years have not been as eventful.

Closures are also noted on ODA’S Recreation Shellfish page and on ODFW’s Recreation Report – Clamming and Crabbing Report.

For more information about clamming on the Oregon coast, visit ODFW’s Crabbing and Clamming page online.

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