Harvesting Bay Clams Harvesting Bay Clams by Kenn Oberrecht Bay clamming in Oregon requires no licenses, little equipment, and nothing in the way of trendy attire. It's family fun, good exercise, cheap recreation, and a wonderful way to enjoy Oregon's estuaries. The only equipment required is a shovel or rake and a container for carrying the catch. Although any low tide exposes some clam beds, the best are morning minus tides occurring from March through September. May, June, and July offer the lowest and the year's longest series of minus tides.
Cockles are easy to gather.
They're found in sandy mud, just beneath the surface or even on the surface, especially in eel-grass beds. You can harvest them with a shovel, rake, or even with your fingers in soft sand. On bare flats, look for two tiny holes about a half-inch apart. In eel grass, walk slowly, feeling for cockles with your feet. Don't rake in the eel grass, which uproots and destroys this valuable plant.