Shellfish Regulations
Shellfishing is prohibited statewide between sunset and sunrise.
Oysters – The season is open from September 15 to May 15 (inclusive).
Scallops – The season opens sunrise the first Saturday in November and closes at sunset on December 31.
For specific shellfishing regulations, consult the 'Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Regulations: Shellfish' section of the Marine Fisheries Statutes and Regulations page.
Resident Recreational Shellfishing – No License Required
Any resident of this State may, without a license, take quahogs, soft-shelled clams, mussels, surf clams, oysters (in season), and bay scallops (in season). Harvested shellfish may not be sold or offered for sale. (See below for possession limits in Shellfish Management Areas and Non-Management Areas).
Non-Resident Recreational Shellfishing – Licensed Individuals Only
Holders of a non-resident shellfishing license may take quahogs, soft-shelled clams, mussels, surf clams, oysters (in season). (See below for possession limits in Shellfish Management Areas and Non-Management Areas). There is no taking of lobsters, blue crabs, whelk, or bay scallops by non-residents.
Non-Resident Property Owners
A nonresident landowner who owns residential real estate in Rhode Island assessed for taxation at a value of not less than thirty thousand dollars may, with proof of property ownership, obtain an annual, non-commercial, non-resident shellfish license for a fee of twenty-five dollars. This license holds the same restrictions and allowable daily catch limits as a licensed non-resident.
Shellfish Management Areas:
Potter, Point Judith, Ninigret (Charlestown), Quonochontaug, and Winnapaug (Brightman) Ponds, Greenwich Bay, Bristol Harbor, Potowomut (Areas A, B and C), and Bissel Cove, Kickemuit River, High Banks, Mill Gut, Jenny’s Creek (closed until further notice). Additionally, certain Shellfish Management Areas, have limited fishing days and seasonal requirements for commercial harvest.
Area specific regulations may apply. For details, consult the 'Part IV: Shellfish' section of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Statutes and Regulations.
Shellfishing Areas with Harvest Restrictions Due to Water Quality:
Certain areas are subject to permanent, seasonal, and rainfall-induced shellfishing closures. For current maps and shellfishing regulations, view the Rhode Island DEM shellfish maps and regulations (PDF), or contact the Division of Water Resources at (401) 222-3961. For current rainfall-induced closure restrictions call (401) 222-2900. Please be responsible; be aware of all harvesting restrictions.
Spawner Sanctuaries and Shellfishing Moratoria:
Certain waters of the state are permanently closed to shellfishing, allowing maintenance, restoration, and enhancement wild broodstock. Areas include portions of Winnapaug Pond, Quonochontaug Pond, Ninigret Pond, Potter Pond, Potowomut, and Jenny’s Creek in its entirety. For detailed shellfishing regulations, consult the Part IV: Shellfish section of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Statutes and Regulations.
Minimum Sizes for Shellfish:
Quahog = 1 inch hinge width
Soft-Shelled Clam* = 2 inches
Oyster* = 3 inches
Bay Scallop = No seed possession
Surf Clam* = 5 inches
Channeled or
Knobbed Whelks = 2 1/4" shell height (farthest distance from opercular side to top of shell when operculum is laid on flat surface)
* Measured in a straight line parallel to the long axis of the animal.
Daily Possession Limits for Quahogs, Soft-Shell Clams, Surf Clams, Mussels, and Oysters (Bay Scallops Excluded) in:
Shellfish Management Areas
Resident (no sale) = 1 peck each per person
Licensed Non-Resident (no sale) = ½ peck each per person
Non-Management Areas
Resident (no sale) = 1/2 bushel each per person
Licensed Non-Resident (no sale) = 1 peck each per person
Dry Measure Equivalents
1 peck = 2 gallons
½ peck = 1 gallon
1 bushel = 8 gallons
½ bushel = 4 gallons
Whelks
1/2 bushel per person
1 bushel per vessel max
Residents only
