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Oysters & Clams

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Maryland residents may harvest oysters and clams for recreational purposes. No license is required.

Refer to maps of Maryland Shellfish Harvesting Areas for information on areas of restricted waters, closures, and coordinates of sanctuaries online via the DNR Shellfish Program webpage under related links: dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/oysters/index.asp

You may also call the Maryland Department of the Environment hotline 800-541-1210 to obtain information on conditional closures due to water quality or other environmental issues.

Recreational shellfish regulations for the Potomac River can be found at www.prfc.state.va.us.

It is Illegal

To take oysters or clams for recreational purposes while aboard a vessel where any person is engaged in commercial oystering or clamming.
To recreationally harvest oysters or clams within a leased area, harvest reserve area, sanctuary or any other area closed by the state.
To harvest oysters or clams if you are not a resident of Maryland. However, a nonresident may harvest clams in Worcester County.

OYSTERS

Season

October 1–March 31

Daily Harvest Restrictions

1 bushel/person/day

Time of Day

Harvest is only permitted:

Monday–Friday: Sunrise to 3 p.m.
Saturday: Sunrise until 12 p.m.

Gear Restrictions

A person may catch oysters ONLY by:

Hand
Shaft tongs
Rakes
Diving (includes SCUBA)

Minimum Size Limits

Three inches measured from hinge to
bill along the longest part of the shell.

How to Measure Oysters

HARD CLAMS

Daily Harvest Restrictions

250 clams/person/day

Minimum Size Limits

One inch transverse measurement

How to Measure Clams

Gear	Location Allowed	Open Season	Harvest Time	Closed Days	Additional Restrictions
Hand Dredge	Pocomoke & Tangier Sounds	9/15–5/31	Sunrise–Sunset	Sunday
Patent Tongs	Somerset County	10/1–3/31	Sunrise–Sunset	Sunday
Hand Scrape & Shinnecock Rake	Worcester County	9/16–5/31	Any	None	May not clam within 300 feet of any shore or wharf without owner’s permission
Hand, Shaft Tongs, Diving	All Locations	No closed season	Any	None

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.

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