Razor Clam

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the Bering Sea south to Central California. Most abundant from Washington State south to Northern California. Found in the surf zone of sandy beaches — burrows vertically into wet sand in the wave wash. The premier recreational clam harvest species on the Pacific Northwest coast.

Preferred Water Temperature: 38°F–58°F. A cold-water Pacific clam found on exposed sandy ocean beaches in the intertidal zone. Concentrates on beaches with fine, well-sorted sand and energetic surf action. Digs rapidly downward when disturbed.

Size & Weight: Legal size typically 3.5 inches. Adults reach 6+ inches and up to 2 lbs. Named for the razor-sharp shell edges. Outstanding eating — sweet, briny, rich clam meat. Harvesting Razor Clams is an important recreational tradition in Washington and Oregon — thousands of clammers gather on minus tides during open seasons.

Best Lures: N/A — harvested by hand with clam gun or shovel.

Best Baits: N/A — a harvested shellfish, not a sport fish. Razor Clams are dug by hand using a clam gun (tube that extracts a column of sand) or clam shovel during minus tides at night. Washington and Oregon WDFW manage the fishery — check current seasons, areas, and daily limits. Biotoxin closures occur periodically — always check safety notices before harvest.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from the Bering Sea south to Central California. Most abundant from Washington State south to Northern California. Found in the surf zone of sandy beaches — burrows vertically into wet sand in the wave wash. The premier recreational clam harvest species on the Pacific Northwest coast.

38°F–58°F. A cold-water Pacific clam found on exposed sandy ocean beaches in the intertidal zone. Concentrates on beaches with fine, well-sorted sand and energetic surf action. Digs rapidly downward when disturbed.

Best Lures: N/A — harvested by hand with clam gun or shovel. Best Baits: N/A — a harvested shellfish, not a sport fish. Razor Clams are dug by hand using a clam gun (tube that extracts a column of sand) or clam shovel during minus tides at night. Washington and Oregon WDFW manage the fishery — check current seasons, areas, and daily limits. Biotoxin closures occur periodically — always check safety notices before harvest.

Legal size typically 3.5 inches. Adults reach 6+ inches and up to 2 lbs. Named for the razor-sharp shell edges. Outstanding eating — sweet, briny, rich clam meat. Harvesting Razor Clams is an important recreational tradition in Washington and Oregon — thousands of clammers gather on minus tides during open seasons.