Saltwater · Mendocino
Clam - Gaper
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
Limit: Ten of each species, except in Humboldt Bay the limit is fifty in combination; however, no more than 25 gaper clams may be taken or possessed. In Elkhorn Slough the limit is twelve in combination. All gaper clams and Washington clams dug, regardless of size or broken condition, must be retained until the bag limit is reached. For purposes of this section, clams commonly termed horse clams or horseneck clams are gaper clams, not geoduck clams regulated
Minimum size
None
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
Gaper clams are known by a variety of names including blue, Empire, horse and horseneck clams.They are Oregon's largest common clam. Geoducks can grow much larger (as much as 10 pounds!) but are rarely found south of Puget Sound in Washington. There are two species of gaper clams in Oregon. Tresus capax is by far the most common, Tresus nuttalli is found in most estuaries that have gapers but are rarely harvested.