ASTORIA, Ore. – Clatsop beaches reopen for razor clam harvesting Oct. 1 following the annual conservation closure that began July 15.
Before harvesting razor clams or any shellfish, always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Webpage.
During the closure, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish biologists surveyed the razor clam population on Clatsop beaches, where most of Oregon’s razor clams are harvested.
Shellfish biologist Matt Hunter found a good number of young razor clams – 1.47 clams per square meter compared to the 20-year average of 0.75 clams. These juvenile clams are the driving factor of the population and should make for good harvest in 2026.
The overall clam count (young and adult clams) on Clatsop beach was 2.47 clams per square meter, the third highest since ODFW began assessing the populations in 2004.
Most clams are still young, measuring between two and a half and three inches long. The average length is three and a half inches with few clams larger than four inches.
Hunter has advice for razor clam diggers.
“Be very selective this fall. For the best chance to find a larger clam, target only the large clam shows – the ones that are bigger than a nickel,” Hunter says. “Once the young clams start growing in spring 2026, digging could be much more successful. But you still need to focus on the biggest shows to find those larger clams.”
Diggers are reminded that only the first 15 clams dug – regardless of size or condition – can be harvested.
