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| Bay Clams |
Oregon estuaries are rich with many species of clams, although only a few of these species are commonly harvested. Gaper, butter, cockle, littleneck, and softshell are primarily harvested due to their abundance, size, and taste. A wide variety of other bivalve species are found in Oregon estuaries, but not commonly harvested due either to their scarcity or lack of palatability.
Successful clamming does require some knowledge and preparation. Before clamming, harvesters should be aware of weather, regulations, closures, responsible harvest, and techniques.
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Gaper Clams Tresus capax are found in several Oregon estuaries.They 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.
How to Dig Gaper Clams
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Butter Clams (Saxidomus giganteus) are found throughout Oregon's nearshore areas and larger estuaries. Butter clams are excellent burrowers and are found abundantly in shell, sandstone, and even rocky areas, however due to the ease of digging, butter clams are most often harvested in sand and mud substrates. Butter clams are most often found in large estuarine systems, such as Coos, Tillamook, and Yaquina, because of their higher salinity preference. They are known by a variety of names including Washingtons, Martha Washingtons, Beefsteak, Quahog.
How to dig Butter Clams
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Cockle The most common cockle found in Oregon is the "Heart cockle". This common name relates to its scientific name Clinocardium nuttallii. Translated from Latin this name means "Nutall's sloping heart".
The species name "Nuttallii" comes from the person who first described the species. Thomas Nuttall was a well respected botanist, orinthologist, and explorer of the 19th century. While exploring the Pacific Northwest in an 1830s expedition, the heart cockle was among the specimens he collected and described. Those familiar with taxonomy will likely recognize his surname from several species of flowers and birds.
How to dig Cockles
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Littleneck |
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Softshell (Crassostrea virginic) Softshell clams occur in almost all of Oregon’s estuaries and their range can extend very high into the estuary. In Coos Bay, for example they are found commonly in places as far as 30 miles from the ocean inlet.
Softshell clams are native to the East coast, where they are an important commercial fishery. They are believed to have been introduced to Oregon in the late 1800s, timed with the attempt to begin a fishery for the eastern oyster.
How to dig Softshell Clams
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| Native oysters growing on rocks |
There are two species of oysters in Oregon esturaries: the commercially grown Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the native or Olympia oyster (Ostrea conchophilia). Neither species is legal for recreational harvest. Native oyster populations are protected to encourage their recovery; since Pacific oysters are only commercially grown, they are private property. |
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Olympia Oyters
Native oysters were once abundant in three of Oregon’s estuaries. Netarts and Yaquina Bays were heavily fished and depleted in the late 1800s. Coos Bay populations were historically very high also, but were absent upon European settlement.
Populations in these three bays are currently recovering; thanks in large part to the increased care communities have given to their estuaries in recent years. Additional species recovery aid has come from careful restoration projects and educational efforts undertaken by groups such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Confederated Tribes of Siletz, and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
 Shell loving oysters
Native oysters adhere to rocks, shells, and other hard substrates. Their species name "conchaphila" translates from Latin to "shell loving". This name alludes to the fact that past generations of oysters can provide habitat to future generations, in this way they are excellent reef builders. Oyster beds provide excellent estuarine habitat structure for other fish and invertebrates. |
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Pacific Oysters
Pacific oysters are grown in many of Oregon's estuaries. Coos, Yaquina, Tillamook and Netarts are the largest producers of these commercial oysters. These oysters, native to Japan, are likely incapable of successful spawning in the cold waters of Oregon. This fact accompanied with their high value, ease of growing, and minimal enviromental impact makes them a good choice for a aquaculture.
 Oyster culture
Pacific oysters are most often “ground cultured” in Oregon, meaning they are grown directly on the substrate rather than rack or hanging culture used in other states. They are typically harvested by hand in 2-4 year intervals, at which time they are ideal market size.
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