The Long Island Clamming Guide

What You'll Need

• •A clam rake (short-handle for wading, long-handle for deeper water)
• •A bushel basket or mesh bag
• •Waders or old sneakers
• •A valid town clamming permit and NY State Marine Permit
• •Sunscreen, hat, and water

Best Locations

Long Island's south shore bays — Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, and Shinnecock Bay — are prime clamming territory. The sandy-mud bottoms at 2–4 feet of depth are ideal for hard-shell clams (quahogs). Town beaches and designated shellfish areas are your best bet for a productive outing.

Check with your local town clerk's office for maps of approved clamming areas. Some zones are closed seasonally for conservation or water quality reasons.

Technique

Wade out to knee-deep water at low tide. Push your rake into the sand at a shallow angle and pull toward you in short strokes. You'll feel clams as a distinct "click" against the tines. Littlenecks (the smallest legal size) are prized for raw eating, while cherrystones and chowders are perfect for cooking. Most towns require a minimum shell width of one inch.