If you ever find yourself in New England, there are a few activities you’ll absolutely need to add to your ‘To Do List’. One of those things, is foraging for clams, or ‘clamming’ in Massachusetts. The other big one is to attend a clam bake (more on that in another post).
Meet the hard-shelled clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. This edible bivalve is native to the eastern shore. It can be found in coastal mud flats from Prince Edward Island, Canada, to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. These intertidal dwellers can get up to 4 inches in length, though larger have been found. They live a generally sedentary lifestyle which makes them excellent sentinels for local ecosystem health. As filter feeders, they are also regarded as little individual, natural water treatment plant. There’s evidence that they improve the water quality around them, as with many species of shellfish.
Bivalve – an aquatic mollusk that has a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell
Oxford Dictionaries
Does a clam by any other name taste as sweet?
There are a few different names you’ll hear associated with hard shell clams in New England: ‘Quahog’, ‘Littleneck’, ‘Cherrystones’ . Each of these is actually referring to the same species’ different life stages/sizes. Let’s break it down a little better, describing them from smallest to largest:
- Littleneck – best for raw clams; the smallest legally obtainable size, you’ll get 7-10 of these in a pound
- Cherrystone – best grilled; these ones are mid-range in size at 6-9 per pound
- Quahog – also known as ‘chowder clams’; these are the largest at 2-3 per pound
As it goes with most species, the larger, the older, the tougher. So it’s clear why the last size class is best for a tenderizing treatment like chowder. They are also perfect for making what are locally known as ‘stuffies’ (stuffed clam). The rings on the shell are similar to those of a tree in that they reflect the clam’s age. Quahogs can live over 30 years, but there are records of some living to be over 40. When cracked open, they have a BEAUTIFUL purple stain on the inside of their shells.
What’s the Story…
Quahogs weren’t always an aliment of desire. Hundreds of years ago, when the settlers first arrived, clams remained a native indulgence that never really caught on. They were later adapted as a ‘poor man’s’ food until the 1900s when they started to appear on restaurant menus. You can read ore about the history of clamming in Massachusetts here.
What Tools do you need to clam?
This can vary depending on the town regulations and the individual clammer. Some of the more hardcore folks go in barefoot and dig for clams with their toes, using their shirt as a vessel. Others enter the water fully equipped with:
- clam rake
- basket
- clam gauge
- water shoes/waders (optional)
- local shellfishing permit
The rake is a metal basket with teeth, which you use to shuffle through the mud for the clams. Be careful with the rake as the teeth could be a little gnarly on the ‘potential for injury’ scale. Just treat it like any other ‘gardening’ tool, keeping the business end away from other people.
Next, you’ll need a container in which to store the clams you’ve collected. The ideal set up is the basket (aka ‘peck’) wrapped in a pool noodle with a tow line. You can tie the tow rope to your waist and wade through the water. This way, you know that your clams are safely floating along with you. Conveniently, the pool noodle holds the basket afloat until it starts to get roughly full so it’s quite perfect!
Lastly, you’ll want to have a measuring tool with you to make sure you are keeping the right size clams. There are two different styles of this tool (picture above). One is a thin piece of metal with a hole through it (like a donut but rectangular and inedible). The other looks like a thin, squared off wrench. These tools are multipurpose as they can measure various shellfish species for permitting purposes. Clams need to be at least one inch thick to keep. We like the first one, specifically with clams. If the clam falls through the center hole, it’s too small and you’ll need to throw it back. Otherwise, you’ve found a keeper!
If you’ve got all these and you’re ready to go, there’ s one last thing you’ll need…
Do You need a permit?
In order to take the clams home for dinner, you’ll need to obtain a recreational shellfish permit. You can get it from town hall and you will need to carry it on you. This permit allows you to forage for not only clams but mussels and oysters as well. Note that permit prices and rules (catch, size, tools) vary per town. The length of time for which the permit is valid and a clammer’s origin (ie. are you a resident or an out of towner) also vary.
You’ll also want to regularly check the website for the town in which you obtain a permit. They post regular updates about what forage grounds are open on a given day. Throughout the year, closures may apply depending on time of year or recent rainfall. This website is a good resource for details pertaining to shellfishing and clamming in Massachusetts, per town. A map might look a little something like this:
You’ll notice a few area classifications on the map. These will guide you as to where you can get into the water and start clamming.
We did encounter one of the shellfish wardens while trying our luck on this beautiful day. Fortunately, we were only going to be catching and releasing the clams due to a runoff closure in the New Bedford harbour that day. None the less, the rendezvous served as a good reminder that it is important to carry your permit with you.
What to expect
It’s actually not a hard practice to pick up! Once you get your rake in the mud and shuffling along, you get an idea for what’s going on underwater. After a couple peeks at the contents of your rake, you start to get a feel for clam vs. rock vs. seaweed and so on. You’ll probably pick up a few shells or clappers (hinged shells without the animal inside). But in the right spot, you can fill up a peck in no time! But don’t rush. Part of the fun of this activity is just being outside and in the water on a beautiful day 🙂
Post Clamming Clam ‘Care’
You’ll want to bring the clams straight home after you exit the water. It’s good practice to bring a cooler along for the car ride. This way, you’ll have a cool place to store them on your trip home. It’s important to not let them sit in standing water for an extended period of time. So ice packs and a moist towel are your best bet in the cooler. Aim to get them home and into the fridge ASAP. Ideally, they should be kept at less than 50F up until you bake/grill/boil/steam/cook them. You’ll want to eat them within a week of catching them. And be sure to rinse them before you proceed with preparing them to eat. If you soak them in a bowl of freshwater for about 20 minutes prior to preparation, they’ll flush themselves out.
Now, Google some recipes! We’re partial to the cherrystones prepared with white wine butter and garlic. Quick and easy!
Throughout the year, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will host ‘Learn to Quahog/Shellfish’ events, where they provide all the gear so you can give it a whirl! That’s where we snapped these photos, though we’ve gone clamming on our own as well. Be sure to check their website and Facebook page regularly for updates on opportunities for clamming in Massachusetts.
Have you ever been clamming? If not, would you be willing to give clamming in Massachusetts a try?
If you like it, share it!
What an interesting read and insight into a local activity! I’d love to try this … and now I know exactly how! Great post thanks!
Hi Gabby! It is a certainly a great way to get outdoors. If you get around to it, we’d love to hear about your experience. Happy clamming!
Cool article with great tips. I didn’t even know there are different types of clams!
Thank you Cat Fox! There’s definitely a lot to learn about clams. We think it makes getting down and dirty with them more fun!
Very interesting blog. Lots of info.Thanks for sharing Love
Thanks for stopping by! Always happy to share the knowledge 😉 Maybe you can give it a whirl on your trip this summer? Happy traveling xx
Wow, I love learning about new things! I’ve never clammed. 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing!
You bet Ewa! Thanks for checking it out. Always happy to share new experiences 🙂
omg ive never been clamming but ill be in rhode island this summer and would love to try this sometime 🙂 thanks for such great tips!
YES CAIT!! It’s mostly the same in RI and LOADS of places to do it!! Where are you heading? We’ve done it in Narragansett area and the weekly permit is very reasonably priced!
That would make for a fun summer experience!
Yes Rebecca!! The water is a little chilly this time of year (hence the waders). It is a glorious activity in the dead of summer, waist deep in cool water 🙂
I didn’t know there were different types of clams! This would be a fun activity to try sometime.
Hi Crystal! Thanks for stopping by! It’s a coast to coast activity, so even if you find yourself on the west coast, there should be plenty of opportunities. Happy clamming!
We had so much fun clamming in Alaska. It was tough at first, but like you said, you pick it up quickly. We deep fried ours, but I also love white wine and garlic for small clams (usually when I buy them at the grocery store or a restaurant).
Ooooo!! Would love to try it in Alaska as well! And that west coast gooeyduck business looks fun! White wine and garlic is definitely our fave 😉
I didn’t have idea about many things you mention in this blog. Love the way how you cover everything about clams. I would love to try this activity once in my life!
Thanks Lino! We really wanted to bring the whole experience to light with this post. Glad that was conveyed! It is definitely worth trying. We bet you’ll get hooked 😉
What an interesting blog post! I didn’t know about many things you mention here about clams. I would love to try this activity at least one in my life
Thanks Lino! We really wanted to bring the whole experience to light with this post. Glad that was conveyed! It is definitely worth trying. We bet you’ll get hooked 😉
Great post! I’ve always wondered how one does this.
Thanks Natalie! Now you know 😉
This is SO interesting! I have never been clamming, but I sure love clams!
Hi Helen! It is a very neat experience to harvest your own dinner! Makes it much more delicious 😉
I am going to pin this because I want to go to MA in the near future for all the seafood.
ALL of the seafood 😉 That is a GREAT plan Jasmine. Let us know if you’re in the area!
I share this to my mom because she lives in the US )I would so go if I lived in the US, but I live in Japan) and she loves clams!
Thanks Aisasami! Hopefully your mom gets a chance to check it out! Depending on where she lives, there are options for clamming on the west coast as well.
I’m allergic to shellfish, so I’ve never really paid much attention to how they were captured, but this looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing this guide! 🙂
Well dang Lecy :/ That is unfortunate. If you aren’t allergic to touching them, it’s a satisfying catch and release activity too! Stay well 🙂
This looks like so much fun, Kathryn! I love how you broke down the different names and life stages! The illustrations are helpful, too.
Thank you Sarah! As marine biologists, we like to add the extra bit of education to any of our posts as well. Glad you enjoyed it!
It is so interesting how different the west coast and east coast are. I’d love to do this with my little family. By biggest obstacle is my husband who isn’t a fan of anything that comes from the water…
Thank you for providing a thorough guide for your readers!
Hi Lindsey! Is he at least willing to enter the water to give the activity a whirl? How bout the kids?? Are they into seafood? That’s really what matters 😉
Good to know that you need a permit! I’m sure New England clams are the best around!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
It’s definitely good to look into it. Wouldn’t want to get busted by one of those wardens! We don’t have much experience with west coast clams but New England clams are pretty great!
I didn’t know that Quahog, Littlenecks, and Cherrystones were the same species. I think I am less of a digger than an eater. I like the Cherrystones minced up with some breadcrumbs, garlic, olive oil and parsley, scooped back into a half shell and cooked on the BBQ. Either that or a full up clam bake.
Ooooo!! Those all sounds WONDERFUL Rhonda. We love ’em all too!
Where do you recommend a shop where I can purchase clamming tools. I live on Cape Cod
Hi Laura! I suppose it depends on the cleaning tools you are looking for. Have you tried Home Depot in Hyannis? Your local Stop and Shop may have some items as well. Good luck!
I love clamming especially in Maine! I LOVE IT! I need to go visit MA and hangout! I love New England!
Hi Laura! We haven’t been in Maine but are interested in trying! Let u know if you find yourself in MA. New England is a pretty great place 🙂
Wow! What a helpful and detailed guide! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
Hi Katie! Thanks for stopping by. Always have to spread some knowledge. Especially if it involves the ocean 🙂
I love clamming / so much fun and great memories with family!
Hi Erin, It’s absolutely a family affair! There are certain spots along the coast where you always see clusters of folks getting down and dirty to dig up some clams. The kids seem to enjoy the activity and the adults know there’s a delicious meal waiting for them after the fact. It’s a win-win!
Thank you for sharing such a detailed post about clamming! I’ve never done clamming before so it was so interesting for me to read! I’m gonna have to remember to try it next time I’m in Massachusetts! – @reesarei
Hi Ressa! Thanks for stopping by. So glad you found the guide useful! You should definitely add it to the top of your list for activities in New England. Enjoy!
Hey guys! Clamming looks like a fascinating activity! It reminds me of collecting fossils in shallow waters so it definitely must be thrilling! Cheers!
Oooo! That’s a fun way to look at it Ivan! It’s definitely an acquired skill, but you catch on in no time 😉 Happy travels!
This was really interesting. We clam out in the PNW, but we’re clamming for razor clams. Usually out tools include clam guns. I’ve never seen a clamming rake before. Happy clamming! 🙂
Very cool Maria! We hope to give clamming on the west coast a whirl some day. What’s your favourite way to prepare razor clams?
This is a fabulous post! I’ve never been clamming, but I recently went to a beach in Oregon where clams were everywhere, and my family and I had fun watching others clam AND seeing the water squirting everywhere. Thanks for this great info!
Thanks Aarika! We’ve heard it’s a little different on the west coast, but we’d definitely be into trying it! And you’re right, it absolutely doubles as a spectator sport haha!
Great guide for clamming! I have a lot of friends who go often, but I had never been clamming. I have, however, benefited from the harvest! 😉 🥣
Thanks Renee! It’s definitely worth giving a shot, especially if you enjoy clams. At least you know it’d be worth it!
I only lived in MA for a year, but I wish I knew this was a thing back then! I would’ve tried it!
There’s always next time 😉
I think my favorite fact from this post was learning about ‘clappers’ haha! My dad has picked up hobby lobstering in his retirement, I’m triyng to see if he’ll do some clamming with me soon!
That’s awesome Eileen! Nothing wrong with having a lobsterman in the family. If you do get out clamming, don’t let the clappers discourage you 😉
Nothing better than Quahog clams! I personally prefer to use clam forks instead of rakes as it’s easier to collect the larger ones but some people prefer the rakes. Also, instead of lugging around a heavy clam basket you can opt for a simple clam bag that you can attach to your belt loop for easier carrying ability. Waders may be listed as optional here but I strongly recommend a good pair as it’ll save you alot of discomfort.
Thanks so much for the feedback Crabsman! Will have to give the clam fork a whirl. I’m partial to the floating clam basket (with the pool noodle attached) but have used a bag as well. And I love my waders!! I have a friend who was born and raised on clams who has a very unique set of tools: his bare feet to dig and his shirt to hold his haul. To each their own for sure 🙂