Can I Keep?Clams Regulations in California (2026)
Recreational clams rules in California saltwater, as published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Size limit
Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits…
Bag limit
Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits…
Season
Razor Clams The razor clam fishery is closed in Humboldt and Del…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Clams rules in California
- Where
- Northern Management Area
- Size limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- Razor Clams The razor clam fishery is closed in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. All Clams During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed nighttime hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (yellowcircle.png); yellow = 'Partially closed fishing season or alert'.
- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams harvested from Humboldt and Del Norte county beaches due to dangerous levels of domoic acid in the shellfish.
- For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free shellfish information line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- Mendocino Management Area
- Size limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- Razor Clams The razor clam fishery is closed in Humboldt County. All Clams During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed night time hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (yellowcircle.png); yellow = 'Partially closed fishing season or alert'.
- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams from Humboldt County due to dangerous levels of domoic acid toxin in the shellfish.
- For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free shellfish information line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- San Francisco Management Area
- Size limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed night time hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- Central Management Area
- Size limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed nighttime hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams (opens in new tab), and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams (opens in new tab), and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call the California Department of Public Health's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check their recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- Southern Management Area
- Size limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed nighttime hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (yellowcircle.png); yellow = 'Partially closed fishing season or alert'.
- NOTE: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, or whole scallops from the Northern Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel islands) due to dangerous levels of domoic acid found in sport-harvested bivalve shellfish.
- For the latest advisory information, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
- Where
- San Francisco Bay District (bays & inshore)
- Size limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Bag limit
- Review ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam.
- Season
- During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed night time hours.
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- Status from the CDFW status icon for this section (greencircle.png).
- Hydraulic pumps may not be used to take clams, and may not be possessed anywhere clams may be taken.
- For updated information on warnings, advisories, and quarantines concerning naturally-occurring shellfish toxins, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 or check CDPH's recreational bivalve shellfish advisory interactive map.
- You can also review CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page.
Quick answers
What is the clams size limit in California?
Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many clams can I keep in California?
Review California ocean sport fishing regulations for size limits, bag limits, seasons, and other regulations that apply for various species of clam. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is clams season in California?
Razor Clams The razor clam fishery is closed in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. All Clams During the open season, clams may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is unlawful to be on any clam beach with any instrument capable of being used to dig clams during the closed nighttime hours.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
Compare Clams limits in other states →
More clams, oysters & scallops in California
All California saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a California saltwater license or registry: get one here.