Crabbing & Clamming

Crabbing in the Siletz Bay requires minimal expense and preparation and provides a great individual, family or group experience. The Bay is open to crabbing year-round, although crab are more “filled out” (or contain a higher percentage of meat) beginning in September and continuing into the winter months; locals refer to this as the "R" months (September, October, November, December) for the best crabbing experience. The best times during the day to crab are when there is less difference between high and low tides, and during slack tides as the crabs are not pushed around by tidal exchanges. Avoid crabbing after heavy rains, which often swirl crabs around in the Bay and can limit their ability to feed. For best results, crab from the bay-facing beach at Taft Beach. Throw crab traps or pots as far out into the bay as possible and leave for at least thirty minutes (and up to several hours). Use a crab measuring gauge to determine legal size for “keepers” when you pull in the traps. Store live crab in a bucket with ice until ready to cook. Once enough “keepers” are harvested, boil or steam the crab, clean it, and crack the shell to access the tender, buttery meat!

Essential Crabbing Gear

• A copy of Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
• A crab trap
• Crab measuring gauge
• Bait (not-so-fresh turkey, chicken, or fish carcass)
• Oregon shellfish license
• Bucket or cooler (and ice)
• Gloves
• Warm clothes/rain gear

The Bay is also a great place to harvest purple varnish and softshell clams. To catch a bounty of clams, wait until the mudflats on the south side of the Siletz Bay emerge at low tide. Enter the mud flats from the Cutler City side of the Bay about an hour after low tide and look for “shows,” or holes that clams have left in the sand and mud. When you discover a show that is likely above a clam, start digging or suck them out with a clam gun. Most clams will be about 14 inches below the sand. Submerge accumulated clams in saltwater in a bucket, or keep them in well-ventilated bags until done clamming, then boil and clean them as soon as possible.

Essential Clamming Gear

• A copy of Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
• A shovel or clam gun
• Oregon Shellfish license
• Bucket or clam bag (burlap works great)
• Gloves
• Rubber boots
• Warm clothes/rain gear

Where to Buy a License

• Bi-Mart • 541-994-6284

• Lincoln City Sporting Goods • 541-996-4747

• Sea Gulp • 541-418-5292

• Coyote Rock RV & Marina • 541-994-4266

Where to Buy or Rent Equipment

• Bi-Mart • 541-994-6284
• Mills Ace Hardware (North) • 541-996-3334
• Mills Ace Hardware (South) • 541-996-2131
• Premier RV Resort • 541-996-2778
• Siletz Moorage • 541-765-2109

Always check Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Regulations or call 541-867-4741 for additional information and possible closures, always call the Oregon Shellfish Hotline at 503-986-4728 or 800-448-2474 to check on shellfish safety closures, and always be aware of incoming tides. Lincoln City’s Explorience program also offers guided crabbing and clamming workshops throughout the year; please visit the Explorience page for available dates and times.

Planning a trip to the beach and looking for additional foraging opportunities? Visit explorelincolncity.com for additional ideas, itineraries, lodging, and restaurants.