Winter Seasonal Clamming Opens Tomorrow

Winter clamming is rewarding

The seasonal clamming areas around the inland bays open every year on December first, time to make some clams casino!  These are the areas in yellow on the map that are closed during the summer due to high bacteria levels.  Right now the inland bays are really clear.  Once the bacteria and algae die off the water clears up real quick.  Not to mention the lack of boaters helps a great deal, less silt gets stirred up this time of year.   You just need some good waders, a clam rake and you can go to town so to speak in the seasonal clamming areas.  They are not as cleaned out as the more popular areas. 

Chowder clam or chuckle head

 Summer time a lot of popular clamming areas are stripped of the smaller cherry stone and little neck sized clams. The big chuckle heads are perfect for chowders and bait.
   Hard clams need to be 1.5 inches or larger to keep, residents can keep one hundred clams per day, non residents, fifty clams per day.  You need a Delaware fishing license to clam in Delaware waters.  The water is cold so be careful, hypothermia can be an issue this time of year. Insulated waders are preferred.

2019 Delaware Fishing Guide clamming map, the yellow areas are the seasonal that just opened.



If you want some good local clams and not put in the work check out,

Rehoboth Bay Oyster Company


Friends Clams & Oysters LLC


Both are excellent companies and also aquaculture (farm) oysters around the inland bays.

Littleneck clams bagged for sale at Rehoboth Bay Oyster Company
Steaming middle neck clams
littleneck clams steaming with butter melting
Steamed littleneck clam
Steamed littleneck clam being dipped in melted butter
Clam broth. Take the remaining water and add lemon and butter to taste.