Massachusetts - Shellfishing

Shellfishing is easy, fun, and tasty vacation adventure for children and families

Shellfishing, the act of fishing for clams, oysters, and mussels, is a traditional coastal activity. Clam can be found buried in the sand in coastal coves, sand bars, and tidal mud flats.

In Massachusetts, recreational shellfishing is permitted in designated clean areas and regulated by the individual towns. Contact a town’s Department of Natural Resources or the town clerk to buy a permit and learn the local shellfishing regulations. For recreational shellfishing, this is the only permit you will need. Be sure to become informed about shellfishing beds that may be closed due to pollution. General information about shellfishing is available from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries at 617-626-1520.

Water pollutants that are absorbed by the shellfish can sometimes make shellfish unsafe for human consumption. The state may close shellfishing beds when the water is deemed polluted and the shellfish unsafe. Before heading out for a day of shellfishing be sure to check shellfishing maps or ask local shellfishing constables about prohibited areas, and seasonal or conditional closures.

The best time to go clamming is about an hour before low tide. Take a bucket or net-like bag for your catch and a digging tool. Rakes, shovels, and bathroom plungers are commonly used for digging. The ideal foot wear is old sneakers or water shoes.

Clams can be found in places where a small spout of water shoots up or where there is a small mound of sand with a hole in the top. You may have to dig a foot or more to find the clams. Often if you find one clam there will be many more nearby. It takes about 30 clams or roughly two hours of digging to make a pot of clam chowder.

Quahogs are the larger, hard-shelled clams that are used to make chowder, stuffies, and clam cakes. Cherrystones, which are smaller, hard-shelled clams, are less chewy and are commonly used in pasta dishes. Soft-shelled clams known as steamers are often chopped and fried or steamed and served with fresh bread. Oysters are commonly eaten raw and for this reason it is especially important to know the water quality where they are harvested.

Barnstable -- Barnstable Division of Natural Resources
1189 Phinney’s Lane
Centerville, MA  02632  
Phone: 508-790-6272

Seasonal recreational shellfishing licenses for the three summer months cost $50. Licenses can be purchased from the Barnstable Division of Natural Resource, 1189 Phinney’s Lane, Centerville. Visit the office in person or write to the office. If purchasing a license by mail, include a copy of your driver’s license, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Falmouth -- Falmouth Town Hall
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA  02540  
Phone: 508-548-7611

Shellfish and herring permits are sold at the tax collector's window in Falmouth Town Hall during regular office hours. Permits cost $50 and are in effect from February 1 to January 31. General regulations may be picked up at the tax collector's window in Falmouth Town Hall and they are posted at Town Hall, Falmouth Main Public Library, East Falmouth Library, North Falmouth Library, and West Falmouth Library. Open area lists and maps are posted at Town Hall, Megansett Harbor Parking Lot, West Falmouth Harbor Boat Ramp, and Seapit Landing in Waquoit Bay. For information on what beds are open for shellfishing, call the town Department of Natural Resources at 508-495-7334.

Mashpee -- Mashpee Town Hall
16 Great Neck Road North
Mashpee, MA  02649  
Phone: 508-539-1400

A Mashpee shellfish permit or Wampanoag Tribal identification card are required for anyone to take shellfish in Mashpee. Non-resident permits are sold to people who live in Massachusetts but not in Mashpee. Permits are not sold to anyone living outside of Massachusetts. Non-resident shellfishing permit is $65 for a family. Shellfish permits are issued at the town clerk's office in Town Hall Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk’s office also is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in June and the first weekend in July.
People may take quahogs, soft-shell clams, scallops (in season), and mussels and razor clams, as specified in the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations. The taking of oysters is prohibited. Non-commercial shellfishing is allowed between sunrise and sunset 7 days per week. Shellfishing is allowed in the Town of Mashpee up to the high tide shoreline, except in areas closed because of contamination or otherwise restricted by the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations. Also, the Towns of Mashpee and Falmouth have a reciprocal agreement to share Waquoit Bay for shellfishing. Check shellfishing maps at town landings or Town Hall for closed or restricted areas. For more information, call the Shellfish Department at 508-539-1439.

Wellfleet -- Wellfleet Town Hall
300 Main Street
Wellfleet, MA  02667  
Phone: 508-349-0300

Recreational permits allow holders to harvest shellfish for their own consumption and recreation. These are available to Wellfleet taxpayers and non-residents, though the fees vary. Permits may be issued to any person age 12 or older. Shellfish permits must be renewed each year. A seasonal recreational permit for a non-resident from June 1 to September 30 is $40. To purchase a shellfish permit, go to Wellfleet Town Hall or the Beach Sticker House located on the pier during the summer. To purchase a permit by mail write to Wellfleet Town Hall, attn. Shellfish Permits, 300 Main Street, Wellfleet. Send check or money order and a self addressed stamped envelope. In Wellfleet, Indian Neck is the only area open to recreational shellfishing from June 1 to September 30. Recreational shellfishing is allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays. The Indian Neck area extends from the breakwater to the jetty just south of the Burton Baker Landing. Indian Neck has much to offer for any level of experience in shellfishing. The area is regularly stocked with quahogs and it supports small populations of soft shell clams and oysters.

Edgartown Shellfish Department, Martha’s Vineyard
Edgartown Town Hall, 70 Main Street
Edgartown, MA  02539  
Phone: 508-627-6175

A permit is required to take shellfish from the waters and flats of the Town of Edgartown. Recreational family permits may be purchased at any time during the year and shall be valid from date of purchase until the expiration date shown on the permit. A non-resident recreational family permit costs $45 a week and $225 a year. Family permit shellfishing is allowed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Shellfish landing areas in Edgartown are. Wilson Place Landing at Great Pond; Edgartown Wharf between the Yacht Club and the old junior yacht club; Katama Boat Ramp; Edgartown-Oak Bluffs Bridge at Sengekontacket; Dyke Bridge; Eel Pond Boat Ramp

Nantucket -- Nantucket Marine & Coastal Resource Department
34 Washington Street (Town Pier)
Nantucket, MA
Phone: 508-228-7261

Recreational shellfish licenses are issued April 1 through March 31. Anyone over the age of 14 must have a license to take shellfish. Resident fee is $250 and non-resident fee is $100. Licenses can be purchased at the Nantucket Marine & Coastal Resource Department, 34 Washington Street (Town Pier). Each applicant will receive information on shellfishing, closures, tide chart and any other information they may need to have an enjoyable shellfishing experience.The species most commonly sought are quahogs,Mussels, eels, oysters, scallops, soft shell clams (steamers).

Gloucester -- Gloucester City Clerk
City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA
Phone: 978-281-9720

Two types of shellfishing permits re sold to non-residents. They are non-commercial clam and seaworm permit for a year for $175 and non-commercial clam permit for one day for $25. All permits are issued by the city clerk’s office at City Hall. Color coded Maps, regulations, and ordinances can be obtained at city clerk’s offices. Questions may be referred to the Shellfish Constable at 978-281-9781. The 24-hour Shellfish Hotline is 978-281-9741.

Ipswich -- Town of Ipswich
25 Green Street
Ipswich, MA  01938  
Phone: 978-356-6600 ext. 6710

The town issues recreational shellfishing permits to non-residents for $20 a day or $100 a year.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA  01950  
Phone: 978-465-5753

To fish at the clam flats from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, you must have a valid Refuge permit. To qualify for the Refuge permit, you must possess a valid clamming license from the Towns of Newbury (978-465-9241), Rowley (978-948-2081), or Ipswich (978-356-6600). Refuge permits must be applied for in person and are available year-round from Refuge headquarters during normal business hours and from the Refuge entrance gatehouse Sunset Drive when staffed. Refuge permits are valid through December 31 of the year of issuance.
Refuge shellfishing permits are issued free of charge. Recreational shellfishing permit holders are subject to a daily Refuge entrance fee of $5 per vehicle and $2 for walk-on or bicycle at the Plum Island section of the Refuge.
Use is limited to the normal hours of Refuge operation, sunrise to sunset. The Plum Island portion of the Refuge is closed whenever vehicle parking capacity is reached. At these times both recreational and commercial permit holders are allowed access for clamming purposes only, three hours before and three hours after low tides.
Access to Refuge shellfishing areas may also be prohibited due to other factors including Town flats closure for public health concerns. It is the responsibility of the clammer to know the status of the flats. This information is available from town halls, shellfish constables, or by phoning 978-356-6671. Access from the Refuge to all flats is from designated parking areas and by foot only.

Rowley -- Rowley Town Hall
139 Main Street / PO Box 351
Rowley, ME  01969  
Phone: 978-948-2081

Shellfish Permits are distributed by the town clerk. All permits expire on March 31. Fees are: non-residents for one day, $30; summer non-residents, $20 per week. For information on shellfishing regulations or any other questions, contact the town shellfish constable at 978-948-2508.

Duxbury -- Duxbury Town Hall
878 Tremont Street
Duxbury, MA  02332  

Shellfish licenses are required for people over age 14 to dig anywhere in Duxbury. Licenses are available at the Duxbury Town Hall Receptionist desk. Shellfish may be taken from sunrise to sunset. Taking Shellfish, eels or seaworms is prohibited on Sundays from June 1 to September 1. All shellfish must be dug with conventional tined tools. No shovels are permitted and digging must be by hand without the assistance of power. No shellfish taken on non commercial permits may be sold, wasted or bartered in any manner.

Mattapoisett -- Mattapoisett Town Hall
16 Main Street
Mattapoisett, MA

Permits are required for recreational shellfishing. Permits cost $125 and are in effect from March 1 to February 28. Permits may be purchased at town hall. For more information, contact shellfish officer Kathy Massey at 508-758-4120 ext. 202

Scituate -- Scituate Town Clerk
Town Hall, 600 Chief Justice Cushing Way
Scituate, MA  02066  
Phone: 781-545-8744

Permits are required of people age 16 and older to take of shellfish and seaworms from the tidal areas and coastal waters of Scituate. Permits allow people to take shellfish for their own consumption or for bait. A non-resident permit costs $50. The licenses can be purchased at the town clerk's office. All recreational shellfish permits expire one year from the date of issue. Shovels, hoes and rakes are prohibited in taking soft-shell clams; only a conventional clam digger may be used. The state inspects the shellfish beds and authorizes the opening of the beds for clamming. In recent years, the clam beds have not been open during the summer months.