Cook Inlet Personal Use Clam Fishery
Overview

The most popular fishery for clams in Cook Inlet is the fishery for Razor Clams on the beaches between Homer and Kenai.  Clammers take almost a million clams a year from this popular fishery.

Clamming is open year round in the salt waters of Cook Inlet.  However, most digging occurs from April through September.  The “table quality” of the clam is generally considered best in early summer, just prior to the July-August spawning.   On the northern beaches, razor clam beds are exposed on any minus tide.  However, tides of -2.0 feet or lower are suggested.

Remember, all shellfish may be exposed to the algae that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. Eating contaminated shellfish can cause severe illness or death. For more information, see the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning document (PDF - ADEC)

The State of Alaska does not recommend consuming recreationally harvested shellfish from any beach. Anyone consuming shellfish gathered in this way does so at their own risk.

No permit is required for this fishery, but you must be an Alaska resident and possess a valid resident sport fishing license.  See the Permits and Regulations tab for information on bag limits and gear.

This fishery is accessed from the Sterling Highway at:

When clamming, always be aware of the timing of tides to avoid getting stranded between bluffs.
A downloadable brochure with lots of information on clamming and access to the fishery can be found under the Maps and Brochures tab above.

For online tide information, go to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s pages at http://www.noaa.gov/.