Saltwater · Northern
Clam - Littleneck
Ocean regulations can change in-season. Confirm with the 2026 Ocean Sport Fishing Guide and CDFW before you fish.
Species group
CLAM
Season
-- Except as provided, there are no closed seasons, bag limits or size limits on saltwater clams. -- Fishing hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Depth limit
None
Daily bag limit
50 in combination with other clams.
Minimum size
1.5 inches in greatest diameter
Gear restrictions
-- Special gear provisions: Spades, shovels, hoes, rakes or other appliances operated by hand, except spears or gaff hooks, may be used to take clams. No instrument capable of being used to dig clams may be possessed between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, on any beach of this state, except tools and implements used in the work of cleaning, repairing or maintaining such beach when possessed by a person authorized by appropriate authority to perform such work. --Clams ashore: Clams which have a size limit when being taken must be brought ashore above the high water mark in such a condition that the size can be determined. Such clams not in the shell may not be transported or possessed, except when being prepared for immediate consumption. Clams which have a size limit and are not retained shall be immediately reburied in the area from which dug.
Identification
-- Littleneck clams live anywhere from the Aleutian Islands to Baja California, though they are only abundant north of Oregon. Commonly found in bays and estuaries along the coast of British Columbia, littleneck clams live at low- to mid-intertidal depths, burrowing up to 15 centimeters into the beach. Although occasionally recorded to 10 meters depth. -- Littleneck clams are round in profile, with concentric rings (which can be used to determine age) and radial ribs on the surface of the shell. Their coloration varies from white, off-white or cream, mottled with brown, to grey. Littleneck clams have separate sexes and a rebroadcast spawners. Littleneck clams grow to a maximum size of 70 millimeters shell length and live to a maximum age of approximately 14 years.