It also includes conservation closures determined by local clam co-management committees. Because clams prefer to live in sand, mud, and rocky areas, it is best to find them in bays and estuaries. Commercial licenses must be renewed each April. After you hear or feel the scraping of the shell, gently rake the sand about one inch below the surface. Recreational Licenses . Bivalves have two strong muscles that hold the halves of their shells closed together by their abductors. The soft shell clams can be found on the East Coast from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A person who does not reside in Maine and wishes to fish for saltwater must have a valid saltwater fishing license from another state or a valid state permit. I love being a child again, up to the elbows and ankles in mud. There is no definitive answer when it comes to the best place for clam digging. (obtained from agent who issued original). Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License Fee: $402.00 For rules and regulations please visit here Recreational Shellfish License Clams shall not be sold. Because a giant clam can live for more than 100 years, you should consider putting one in a warm, safe place. Year round licenses are valid from May 1st through April 30th of each year. A valid Visa or MasterCard only GET STARTED NOW: * Please note that if you are under the age of 18, you will be required to provide a valid driver license number of your parent or guardian. Licenses can be obtained online through the DMR website or at any Maine license agent. To learn more about how to experience digging and eating clams while on your visit to Downeast Maine (even if you want to skip the mud and just eat them at a restaurant! License allocation: (68 Left) - Adult Resident- $15.00 Recreational limit is 2 bushels per person daily. There are numerous fresh water areas along the coast and around the world where mollusks can thrive. European oysters are regulated by DMR and some coastal towns with a shellfish conservation ordinance. (a) Limit: Ten of each species, except in the redwood Bay, is permitted; however, no more than 25 gaper clams may be taken or possessed. Licensing events are held between June 1 and May 31 in the United States. They live burrowed into the sand beneath the turbulent waves of the surf breaker zone. The recreational harvest limit is 3 bushels per person daily. Recreational fees are $12.00 (plus $5.00 water quality fee) for residents. Some argue that clams are the best seafood one can consume, but thats not the case. If you are going alone, check with a local town office regarding licensing requirements and for the best places to dig. If you want to dig yourself, you can get a license by coming by the office on a weekday and well assist you. Residents pay $11 for recreation and nonresidents pay $22; only $15 for limited use. ), contact an area Chamber of Commerce Information Center. The Town of Harpswell, in conjunction with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, manages its intertidal shellfish resources under the Municipal Shellfish Management Program as described in M.R.S Title 12, §6671. The number of available licenses is set annually; non-resident licenses are issued at a rate of one for every ten sold to residents, and the non-resident must get on a waiting list by applying in person at the Town Clerks office. Recreational Shellfish Licenses are available to residents and nonresidents. Clams can be dug to obtain them. The license also includes the following: bear hunt, bear trap, migratory waterfowl, pheasant, spring and fall turkey, coyote night hunt, crossbow, muzzleloader, one expanded archery antlerless deer permit, and one expanded archery either-sex permit (allows either an antlered or antlerless deer but not both). There is also a seasonal closure statewide from June 15th to September 15th. Make sure the top edges of the clams are sharp and that you grab them carefully (cutting paper from a cardboard box, rubbing liberally with salt). For special offers and great New England travel tips subscribe today. TM 1996-2023 Mystic Media, Inc. & Visit New England. 4-inch minimum size measured along the longest axis. A recreational shellfish license holder will not need to issue a license to a child under the age of 12. The Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education located on Beals Island, raises between three and five million seed clams annually for 60 Maine communities. Anglers of all skill levels must have a saltwater fishing license, regardless of whether they are using a rod, reel, or trap. 1-inch hinge width minimum size. Anyone may obtain a 3 day recreational license. Residents pay $50, while those over 62 receive a free ride. The table quality of clams is generally thought to be the best in the early summer, just before spawning season. The license is free of charge and is valid for one year. Most people wear rubber gloves and boots and dig clams with a 4-tined rake called a hoe. But before you can start digging for clams, you need to obtain a license. 353 Water Street Student Licenses. Maine is home to some of the best clamming spots in the country. There also is a one-day recreational shellfishing license. Remaining Quota - 0.96. I cant think of anything more perfect than stoking coals at a beachside cook fire with friends, seaweed wrapped around those fresh-dug clams steaming up a scent of toasted ocean; with the sunset and moon over the water, as a rising tide slowly swallows our footprints in the mud flatsor, as folks around here refer to them, the clam flats. The cost of a license varies depending on where you live; once you have one, you will be able to dig as many clams as you want for the day. My father used one of these, and a wooden slatted basket called a roller. Applicants must appear in person to fill out an application. Children age 12 or younger do not need a license to assist a recreational shellfish license holder. 2-inch minimum size measured along the longest axis. Clam digging can take place all year, but from April to September, the best time to dig is early summer. Clam digging has long been a part of coastal culture in Maine. 83 Minna St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, The Best Lights To Use For Razor Clamming At Night, Mussels: A Safe Delicacy During Breastfeeding, Both Of These Muscles Work Together To Create The Movement Of The Jaw, Why Do Fresh Water Clams Have White Spots, 5 Tips To Keep Your Pet Calm During A Severe Storm. This subsection does not authorize the person accompanying and assisting the licensee to assist that licensee with more than one fishing rod and reel. In order to harvest clams in Maine, you need to obtain a license from the Department of Marine Resources. The Magazine. However, harvest can only occur at approved locations (see below) and are generally limited to daylight hours. Crystal Hitchings, Bold Coast Scenic Byway in the true Downeast Maine, from Milbridge to Eastport. Veterans must still apply for any-deer & moose permits each year. A license is required if you want to harvest lobster or crab in Maine. Applications must be completed entirely to be accepted. Along with the application you must provide three . Short-term permits are valid for a specific period of time, and can be purchased for either 3 days or 7 days. The deep-sea red crab fishery of the New England Fishery Management Council is overseen by the Council. It is possible to transplant clams from an area with poor water quality to a better one. Pass on a Maine tradition and a gift that will last a lifetime. Day passes are also available in the Town Clerk's Office. To measure them, youll need a rake (quahog), a basket, and a gauge. Licenses. Commercial Non-Resident $1,500. Anchor & Hope SF was created with the goal of providing people with accurate and reliable information about seafood. Fifth, you will need a coolers to keep the clams alive and fresh. Maine in Bloom: Experience a Variety of Maritime Gardens, Maines Maritime Museums: Troves of Treasures to Explore, Road Trip: Exploring Lighthouses in Maine. Town Hall, 93 Cottage Street. Phone: 207-288-5571. 2-A. Saltwater Fishing: A NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License is required for individual anglers age 16 and older participating . The recreational harvest limit is 2 quarts per person daily. The New England Fishery Management Council is in charge of the deep-sea red crab fishery. Most fishermen can take a bushel or two a day, depending on where they live. Clams, in addition to being a simple meal, can be boiled, steamed, or grilled. Recreational digging is allowed in Wolfe Neck . Recreational limit is 1 peck per person daily. John Hentzs job is to make sure that no one digs for contaminated clams. In the Bold Coast region of Maine, contact Tours of Lubec and Cobscook for a family-friendly, touchable tour. You can then apply for a clamming license through the Maine Department of Marine Resources. I brought a camera along and tried to capture a bit of the weekend and this is the result. Licenses prices are as follows: Commercial Resident $1,000. The area is overflowing with countless breathtaking views, is brimming with lighthouses, and delivers the feeling of an undisturbed connection with your surroundings. There are also 10 recreational licenses available to . Anglers harvesting hard clams prefer to use a purpose-built rake or fork with high visibility to gain a better view of the species. Overall Quota - 620. Adult waved whelks are two to four inches in length and are found sub tidally. A. Clamming season will begin on December 11, 2022, Licenses will be sold at the Harbormasters shack between 7:00am-9:00am on Dec. 11, 2022, only to those who participate in the clean-up. A maximum of 10 gaper clams may be kept; however, dug clams regardless of size or condition must be kept until they reach the limit. Who do I contact if I want to dig on my property? Non-residents can sign up for the lottery starting March 15 in person at the Town Clerks office. A 3-day permit costs $15 for Maine residents and $30 for non-residents, while a 7-day permit costs $30 for Maine residents and $60 for non-residents. The good news is that getting a license is easy and only costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Exchange Students:Any citizen of a foreign nation under age 21 who is living with a family in Maine for a cultural or educational exchange program may purchase a resident license to hunt or fish. They may be retained year-to-year as long as the holders submit their application/annual fee before the deadline and they have no violations and the required conservation credits have been completed.You must have conservation points to maintain your license.Harvesters are encouraged to remove predators while harvesting on the Freeport Flats. Hard clams are regulated by DMR and some coastal towns with a shellfish conservation ordinance. The good news is that getting a license is easy and only costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Maine is home to many different types of clams, making it a popular destination for recreational clamming. The oysters in Maine are prized for their flavor and quality. Once established and growing, it stays permanently attached to the same site for the rest of its life. Surf clams also known as hen clams are very large and fast growing clams which can grow to 8 inches or more and weigh over a pound. The bottom should be scraped as soon as you use the rake. To apply for a Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License, download the Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License form here and return it to the town office. They naturally grow on oyster reefs but most of Maine's American oysters are grown on aquaculture lease sites. Town clerks or shellfish wardens can tell you the local rules. Free fishing days are February 18-19, 2023 and June 3-4, 2023. Phone: 207-367-5891 Cell: 207-266-4327 Email: harbormaster@stoningtonmaine.org VHF: Channel 16 Red Tide Hotline: 1-800-232-4733 Related Documents: Shellfish Ordinance Clam License Application 2022 Other Resources: The Maine Shellfish Handbook Interactive DMR Shellfish Map After a few, gently place them in your bucket (or basket), top off with fresh water, and then return to the beach. Shellfish conservation laws are enforced by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and coastal towns with shellfish conservation regulations. The Maine Shellfish Sanitation Hotline number is 800-232-4733. There is a limit of ten gaper clams per person, but all dug clams must be kept until the limit is reached. Disabled Veterans:Maine resident and nonresident veterans (if reciprocal privileges exist in their home state) who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard and have a service-connected disability of 50% or more will be issued, upon application, a complimentary license to fish, trap, or hunt (including all necessary permits and other permissions, and upon meeting qualifications, a guide's license) as well as one expanded archery either sex permit and one expanded archery antlerless deer permit.
