Razor Clamming in Seaside, Oregon

Clamming is one of the top things to do in Seaside, and is a fun and educational opportunity for the whole family!

Typically Razor Clamming on the Oregon Coast is open October 1st to July 14th with an annual conservation closure from July 14th to October to let populations bounce back. But last year, this was not the case. From September 2022 to May 2023 Razor clamming in Seaside, Oregon and along the entire Oregon Coast was closed due to high levels of Domoic Acid, a naturally occuring biotoxin that is not good for humans to consume in high levels. Due to razor clams, and other shellfish, being filter feeders, they accumulate these toxins and are not good for people to consume when levels are too high. With the reopening of the season, there are specific closures along the coast due to these levels being too high (Tillamook Head south to Seal Rocks, this is as of the date this was posted, but always check right before you go!).

Razor clamming is very popular in Seaside, Oregon, being that Seaside, Gearhart and Warrenton have the most stable populations of razor clams (actually 95% of all razor clams in Oregon are from Clatsop County beaches!) During early morning negative tides you’ll see hundreds of folks lining the waters edge looking for holes in the sand. In Gearhart and Warrenton where you can drive on the beach, it sometimes looks like a two lane highway of clam traffic! 

Before getting into razor clamming, there’s some specific regulations that are very important to keep in mind (and know before you go!). As with any shellfish harvesting, you need an Oregon Shellfish License from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Always check ODFW biotoxin closures, they can change week by week. Recreationally, harvesters are limited to 15 razor clams a day - and this is the first 15 harvested, no matter the size! You may not dig clams or harvest shellfish for other people, so once you hit your limit of 15 you are done digging. 

Beyond the regulations, razor clamming takes some practice. All it takes is a PVC tube specially designed to dig in the sand, otherwise known as a “clam gun”. Clam guns allow you to dig deep into the sand and then suction out a tube shaped clump of sand (ideally with a clam in it!). Some people also use shovels but I think they take a little more practice. But before digging, clammers must spot the inconspicuous, small, donut shaped hole in the sand. This hole is created as clams filter water in and out of their siphon, which is a tube like structure where clams filter water. Once you spot a hole and start digging, it’s a race against a clam! (Razor clams dig faster than you may think). 

Razor clamming in Seaside, Oregon is a super fun and interactive activity for the whole family. Like a scavenger hunt with a delicious dinner prize at the end. Once harvested, they do require some cleaning and processing, which there’s great youtube video tutorials on. Razor clams are so good fried I almost can’t get myself to eat them any other way. Next time you’re on the North Coast of Oregon during razor clam season be sure to try your hand at digging!!

Ocean condition dependent, I am still offering private clamming excursions through the winter.

If you are interested, please shoot me an email at shiftingtidesnw@gmail.com