Bank access to this area is found at the end of the Bay Ocean Peninsula/Cape Mears Lake parking lot … When the croutons have absorbed the broth, add the hot ingredients to the bowl. Raking or digging bay clams is so easy anyone can try! The rake actually ‘pings’ a bit when you roll one up–especially the cockles. Razor clamming is now open from Tillamook Head (south of Seaside) to the California border. However, I’ve never clammed this beach I’ve just heard a few stories from old timers. They are not as good to eat though and a I throw them back (many people like them though). In some of the south coast's rocky nearshore areas, littleneck and butter clams can be found under rocks and amongst gravel. This conservation closure is to protect newly-set young clams. Travel Destinations. May on the Oregon Coast offers plenty of great opportunities for both crabbing and clamming. Varieties include Cockle, Native littleneck, Gaper, Butter, Geoduck, Softshell and Purple Varnish. Successful clamming does require some knowledge and preparation. Jun 12, 2013 - Crabbing can be good year-round but the best catches are in the winter. Wild Cockle Clams - Harvested from Tillamook Bay, OR once a week and available year round. All Rights Reserved, Kenneth R. Axt -, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Travel about 75 miles west of Portland. Among the strongest and most lasting memories for this gentleman are youthful times in the sand and muck digging for cockle clams. Remove the meat from the shells and when cool, clean out the clams’ stomachs and then chop into chunky 1/4-inch pieces or use a food processor. Many times they are just laying on the surface. This is one of the top-notch summer crabbing destinations, but the fall can be equally productive. Mitch Vance, a Shellfish Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said that summertime minus low tides provide ample opportunities to harvest Oregon’s varied bay clams: “Some folks like to get out as early as possible and have more digging opportunity and they follow that tide as it goes out, looking for new exposed areas and then work back as the tide turns to flood.”. Incorporate all of the ingredients, and add enough plain breadcrumbs until the mixture is stiff. These charts depict popular, productive shellfishing areas. Our clam of choice is called “cockle,” and it didn’t take Cole Hansen to figure out how it was done. Clamming, while rigorous work, is a fun family activity where you’re rewarded with fresh seafood at the end of your excursion. You can go crabbing all year, but summer months are the most productive. In addition, you can find boat rentals there too. Tillamook Bay is the second largest and most accessible bay on the Oregon coast, because the bay is so accessible, recreational clam diggers, crabbers and fishermen are able to fulfill their expectations. Chetco and Rogue river basins have high freshwater influence, and therefore no accessable bay clams. This time, he offered something new: “Grant’s Getaway Stuffed Cockles!”. Tillamook Bay is a very popular place, located just north of Cape Meares, where people go to crab. The stuffed clams are now ready to be served. He said they are always a hit with a crowd. Whether fried in butter or tossed onto a salad bursting with crisp produce, crab meat is a delicatessen – and these tasty crustaceans happen to be bountiful on the Tillamook Coast. Recreational bay clam and crab harvesting are open along the entire Oregon coast. Birt Hansen is an old hand at bay clamming because he grew up near Oregon’s Coos Bay and spent childhood days exploring tidal flats, backwater sloughs, and freshwater ponds. Wild Gaper Clams - Harvested from Tillamook Bay, OR once a week and available July 1st to December 31st. Tillamook Bay provides a unique opportunity for clamming in Oregon to secure a few cockle clams as well. I think that the best part of this recreation is that even the littlest ones can do it and have some success – it offers a little bit of mud or sand, a whole lot of estuary water, but there are lots of clams. We offer bay clamming tours in Netarts, Tillamook and Nehalem Bays and schedule these tours on special 'clamming tides' which are among the lowest (negative tides) of the year. Bring our travel magazine along. When that happens, we like to say “clam on.”. Average 3-5 clams per lb. Tillamook Bay is Second Largest and Most Accessible Bay on Oregon Coast. They’re a very meaty shellfish and very tasty.”. You are allowed 12 male crabs, minimum size of 5’’ ¾ (about the size of dollar bill, measured from the inside notch, not point to point). Click Here For Map of Tillamook Bay Map. The east side of Bayocean Peninsula is a good place to find cockles. Last Spring High Tide at Barview, Tillamook Bay was on Mon 14 Dec (height: 2.86m 9.4ft). Answer 1 of 2: I am new to clamming. Barview, Tillamook Bay tide chart key: The tide chart above shows the height and times of high tide and low tide for Barview, Tillamook Bay, Oregon. We popped the trays into a 400 degree oven for 5-10 minutes – or until a light brown. Wild Butter Clams - Harvested from Tillamook Bay, OR once a week and available year round. Many locals consider peak Oregon clam season to be May and June. The next day, longtime clammer and seafood chef, Bob Waldron, joined me to prepare what he called, “Oregon’s versatile shellfish.”. I coarsely chopped 2 limits of medium-sized cockle clams. This is one of the most popular areas for clam digging on the Oregon Coast. It really allows the flavor of the other ingredients to come together. Tillamook Bay has crabbing all year long; however, the best crabbing is from summer through fall. The shells are set aside for later use. The western portion of Garibaldi Flat is dominated by cobble and gravel. Razorclamming.com is not responsible for the accuracy of this data and the outcome or results of your personal efforts, or safe consumption of shellfish. As we collected our limits, Hansen said, “The best is yet to come!”, He was right! Alert: COVID-19 updates and travel advisories. Place the clams in the pot and let them steam until they open, 5 to 6 minutes. The summertime low tides are perfect for this adventure as we cool off with cockle clamming. This area is rocky and a garden fork (heavy tined) works best, or a combination of fork and shovel. Clamming is the main attraction in Netarts Bay which is one of five major crabbing bays in Oregon with good populations of both Dungeness and redrock crab. In Tillamook Bay, beds of clams are there for the digging, though if you have wheels, head a little way south to Netarts Bay, one of the best places on the coast to go clamming or crabbing. Information provided is a result of personal experience at each bay or beach location. Thanks for any advice. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add sausage and onions and parsley and cook until the onions become translucent. A report from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows the best places for crabbing and clamming in Tillamook Bay. Clamming in Tillamook Bay One of the most popular clamming spots on the bay (and on the entire north coast) is easily accessed from near the fishing and crabbing pier near the west end of Bay Lane, on the west side of Garibaldi, or a very short walk or boat ride from the boat basin area. Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. Clamming Tillamook Bay Clam at 12th Street Pier, Garibaldi Clam digging in Garibaldi is just north of Tillamook, Oregon and about a 10 minute drive. Bob combined the two and then added 8 cups of bread croutons (I like to use a bag of unseasoned stuffing) that had been drenched in clam broth —he stirred the mixture to the consistency of bread dough. A great spot for beginners is at Tillamook Bay, where the four mile long Bayocean Spit offers a hike or a bike ride to reach clam heaven. “That’s because our clamming rake is actually a four-pronged weeding rake and all you do is get that rake out in front of you and slowly pull back through the sand. This is one of the most popular areas for clam digging on the Oregon Coast. The Brad Dawson tidewater access facility is an example of just how recreational friendly Tillamook Bay is. Place the shells on a sheet pan into the oven until the outside of the stuffing is toasted brown, approximately 10 minutes. The Brad Dawson tidewater access facility is an example of just how recreational friendly Tillamook Bay is. Clamming is a popular activity around Tillamook Bay and along the beaches of Rockaway Beach to the north. I'm coming down from Seattle and would like to try clamming in Tilamook Bay. The lower half of the bay offers all species of bay clams. These charts depict popular, productive shellfishing areas. Razor clamming remains closed on the Clatsop Beaches, between the Columbia River and Tillamook Head for the annual ODFW razor clam conservation closure. You can clam from a boat, dock or shore Here’s how you do it. Be prepared for a little hike since the parking lot is about 1/2 mile south from the best spots. Use clam tongs to harvest your own clams and shellfish. Salem, OR 97301 Tillamook Bay is the second largest and most accessible bay on the Oregon coast, because the bay is so accessible, recreational clam diggers, crabbers and fishermen are able to fulfill their expectations. Many other areas have these species but may be less popular to access. Coastal scallops are not affected by biotoxin closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten. ½ cup chopped fresh parsley This is on the beach side of Bayocean Peninsula. Be watchful of your crab pots when using a boat, because we have lost pots a few times from the quickly changing currents. “The mixture allows the clam flavor to come through, but not too strong. It was delicious and a fine payoff to a Bayocean Spit adventure. (Don’t over process, the meats should be chunky.). When is the Peak Season for Clamming. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live. Area 1 can be reached by either boat or bank/walk-in access. When you’ve had your fill of Salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon fishing, crabbing and clamming are another favorite activity in the Tillamook Bay area. Let's keep in touch. Is any of the information on this page incorrect? Nehalem Bay, Tillamook Bay, and Netarts Bay all have local marinas where boats and equipment can be rented and bait purchased. The Garibaldi Marina is well known for crabbing and fishing. He prefers cockle clams in chowders or fritters or simply steamed open and eaten right out of the shell. Tillamook Bay has a Reputation For Excellent Clamming, Crabbing and Fishing. 8 cups unseasoned croutons (I like unseasoned bread stuffing) The summertime low tides are perfect for this adventure as we cool off with cockle clamming. At Tillamook Bay take both a shovel (of any type) and a rake for digging, as the closer to the shore you are the more rocky the ground will be. In addition, local residences providing input and advice, and ongoing information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife websites.Information will change as incoming seas tend to shift and move sand, after that it makes it harder for clams to reproduce.So always check for current beach closures and advisories related to biotoxins, pollution or other human health concerns the same day you plan to harvest. Alt Phone: 503-986-4728, © Copyright 2013 - 2019. Gapers, Butters, Cockles, Littlenecks and Softshells can be harvested. Kayak Tillamook County: Guided Kayak and Clamming Trip - See 74 traveler reviews, 37 candid photos, and great deals for Tillamook, OR, at Tripadvisor. Due to the tough terrain, very few clammers harvest on the rocky nearshore of the south coast. Click Here For Map of Cape Meares Beach. Catching crab in Oregon has always been phenomenal and on top of that, the Oregon coast is home to the Dungeons Crab that is particularly good eating – very sweet and meaty. Razor clams are dug on the beach during good years. ODA does not recommend eating whole scallops. Birt Hansen is an old hand at bay clamming because he grew up near Oregon’s Coos Bay and spent childhood days exploring tidal flats, backwater sloughs, and freshwater ponds. Small Fishing Town of Garibaldi (pop. There are seven areas for clammers to choose from in the Tillamook Bay; with Garibaldi and The Point at the Miami River entrance offering easy access. Jul 13, 2019 - When a summer heat wave hits, I enjoy cooling off by heading to the Oregon Coast and digging my supper from the sea. The grey shading corresponds to nighttime hours between sunset and sunrise at Barview, Tillamook Bay. Divide the mixture into balls, about 5 ounces each or 3 inches in diameter and place firmly into the shells. Tillamook. Ready to hit the road? To contact us, call 1-800-547-7842 or email. Recreational mussel, bay clam and crab harvesting is open along the … Directions: preheat the oven to 400 degrees f. In a medium pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil over high heat. “Man, that’s a beauty, Cole,” noted his granddad, who smiled with obvious pride that his grandson had learned the ropes of this recreation so quickly. Many species of clams can be found in the tidelands of the Oregon and and the species vary a bit from bay to bay. So I recommend for first time clammers to try the Garibaldi tidal flats at the end of 12th street right off of Hwy 101. Consider spending one day combing the beaches for clams and the next visiting Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, or Nehalem Bay for peak Oregon Coast crabbing. Garibaldi Flat is the primary recreational flat for bay clam harvest in Tillamook Bay. 1 lb ground Italian sausage Where to crab & clam in Tillamook Bay Crabbing can be good year-round but the best catches are in the winter. All you need is a rake or a shovel and if you are 14 years or older – an Oregon Shellfish License. All of it adds up to a lot of family fun. Can anyone tell me what kind of tides I'm looking for and how I would know if there are red tides. We’d load the bikes in the back of the pick-up and then drive out to the Bayocean Spit and ride out for a couple miles and then rake cockles along the bay shore. Tides are very important to get out to where the larger clams are in abundance. Tidal flats throughout the bay produce lots of gapers, cockles and softshell clams. Add the chopped clam meat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer. The closure is not because of biotoxins. The eastern part of the flat near the Coast Guard station is sandy with a small eelgrass bed and plentiful shrimp beds. When a summer heat wave hits, I enjoy cooling off by heading to the Oregon Coast and digging my supper from the sea. Crabbing can be hard, especially if it is your first time trying it out. Commercial shellfish … “They are meaty and tasty,” added Kay Waldron. A great spot for beginners is at Tillamook Bay, where the four mile long Bayocean Spit offers… (I like it to be the consistency of bread dough.). These clam beds also are among the nearest for residents of the Portland area. If you’re visiting Tillamook Bay with the family and you’re looking for a memorable outing, crabbing and/or clamming is the way to go. Closures when only the adductor muscle is eaten the strongest and most lasting memories this! 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