Bay clams (butter, littleneck, gaper and cockle) Regulations in Oregon (2026)

Recreational bay clams (butter, littleneck, gaper and cockle) rules in Oregon saltwater, as published by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 6, 2026.

Bag limit

20 in aggregate, only 12 may be gapers

Season

Entire year and at all hours (exceptions are listed under “Harvest…

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Bay clams (butter, littleneck, gaper and cockle) rules in Oregon

Where: Bays & inshore
Bag limit: 20 in aggregate, only 12 may be gapers
Season: Entire year and at all hours (exceptions are listed under “Harvest methods and restrictions” in the table below) and except when any state agency has issued a public health advisory. HEALTH ADVISORIES: Crabbing and clamming occasionally can be closed due to elevated levels of biotoxins or other health issues.

Razor clams may be harvest by hand, shovel, clam gun or tube with an opening no less than 4" (cylindrical) or 4" X 3" (elliptical).
All other clams must be taken by hand or hand-powered tools.
Shellfish regulations article dated 2024-01-05.
Always check ODA biotoxin closures before harvesting (https://www.oregon.gov/oda/food-safety/shellfish/pages/shellfish-closures.aspx).
Razor clams are closed July 15 to Sept. 30 north of Tillamook Head (Clatsop County).
All razor, gaper, piddock and softshell clams must be retained regardless of size or condition.
Other species may be returned to the immediate digging area if they are unbroken
Unlawful to remove clams from the shell before leaving the clamming area.
Each digger must have their own container, dig their own clams and may not possess more than one limit of clams while in the clam digging area, except under an Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit.
See Advisories and Consumption Guidelines.
Regulation updates as of 2026-10-22: OPEN coastwide. * ODFW issues bay clam advisory for Alsea Bay estuary

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Bays & inshore
Size limit: The minimum legal size of cockles taken from Tillamook or Netarts Bay is 2-3/4 inches.
Bag limit: The annual landing cap for cockles taken from Netarts Bay is 22,000 pounds. The annual landing cap for cockles taken from the intertidal area of Tillamook Bay is 90,000 pounds. In Tillamook Bay, the annual quotas for clams harvested by the bay clam dive fishery are 110,000 pounds for cockles, 260,000 pounds for butter clams, and 260,000 pounds for gaper clams. In Yaquina Bay, the annual quota for gaper clams is 20,000 pounds.
Season: Gaper clams may be taken from July 1 through December 31.

Individual permit required in addition to commercial fishing license for harvesting clams, mussels, bait shrimp, red rock crab, and miscellaneous intertidal animals.
Unlawful to take native littleneck clams (Leukoma staminea).
It is unlawful to take clams from: a. Little Nestucca Bay, b. Big Nestucca Bay, c. Netarts Bay (except cockles may be taken in an area west of and including the main channel, north of the northern boundary line for the Shellfish Preserve (Latitude 45° 23.68' N), and south of Latitude 45° 24.71' N, near the informational kiosk), d. Salmon River and Bay, e. Siletz River and Bay, and f. All state parks south of Tillamook Head.
Unlawful to take cockle clams from the intertidal area of Tillamook Bay on Saturdays, Sundays, and all legal state or federal holidays.
Subtidal harvest of clams requires a Bay Clam Dive Permit (see pages 34-35).
Coast-wide Bay and South-Coast Bay Clam Dive Restricted Participation Permits Restricted fishery permit required: Coast-wide Bay Clam Dive Permit (Oregon estuaries) or South-coast Bay Clam Dive Permit (Oregon estuaries south of Heceta Head).
Unlawful to take clams or mussels from a health closure area closed for biotoxins.
ODFW 2026 Oregon Commercial Fishing Regulations Synopsis: condensed form of the OAR 'for the convenience of the commercial harvester and is not intended to replace the laws or administrative rules'; rules are subject to change during the year.

Official source

Quick answers

How many bay clams (butter, littleneck, gaper and cockle) can I keep in Oregon?

20 in aggregate, only 12 may be gapers.

When is bay clams (butter, littleneck, gaper and cockle) season in Oregon?

Entire year and at all hours (exceptions are listed under “Harvest methods and restrictions” in the table below) and except when any state agency has issued a public health advisory. HEALTH ADVISORIES: Crabbing and clamming occasionally can be closed due to elevated levels of biotoxins or other health issues.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

More clams, oysters & scallops in Oregon

All Oregon saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Oregon saltwater license or registry: get one here.