Clamming Rules and Regulations – Gulf Coast
Below are links for clamming and crabbing laws for each state. Please verify the information with your locality.
If you find a link that is out of date or wrong, please e-mail and let us know.
Alabama
Alabama Fishing Regulations & Information
Louisiana
Louisiana Fishing Regulations (eRegulations)
Recreational Oystering – The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission designates which public oyster areas are open for fishing by opening or closing the season as biological data indicate. The owner of an oyster lease or his designee, with written permission, may fish oysters at any time of year on their lease.
Florida
Allowable shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) harvesting areas are established and managed for public health purposes by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture. Two species of hard clam are found in Florida: the northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) and the southern quahog (Mercenaria campechiensis).
Florida Recreational Shellfish Harvesting
Recreational Saltwater Fishing
Florida defines saltwater product as any marine fish, shellfish, clam, invertebrate, sponge, jellyfish, coral, crustacean, lobster, crab, shrimp, snail, marine plant, echinoderm, sea star, brittle star or urchin, etc., except non-living shells and salted, cured, canned or smoked seafood.
Mississippi
Mississippi Shellfishing (including maps)
The commercial oyster season is regulated by the commission on Marine Resources and notice thereof will be duly published in local newspapers and released to both the radio and television media. During open season, oysters may be taken only during daylight hours.
Texas
Clams, Mussels and Other Molluscan Shellfish – No more than 25 pounds of whole mussels and clams, or 12 pounds of mussel and clam shells may be taken per day for personal use only.
Clams, Mussels and Other Molluscan Shellfish may be taken only from salt waters approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Maps identifying approved areas may be obtained from the TDSHS Seafood and Aquatic Life Group, (512) 834-6757. Additional information concerning area closures may be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (800) 685-0361.
Summary of Marine Fishing Laws and Regulations for the Gulf Coast