Months with an "R"? Time to harvest shellfish!

Months with an "R"? Time to harvest shellfish!

Okay, so maybe that's a wives tale... but nobody can deny that most shellfish is much better in the cooler months. Want to harvest your own bivalves? You are in luck! Each year, state biologists perform population surveys to stock public beaches with oysters and clams – ready for the harvest!

For current shellfish seasons check wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches, the Shellfish Emergency Rule Change Hotline (866) 880-5431, contact the WDFW customer service desk (360) 902-2700. If you harvest clams or oysters, keep them on ice or eat them soon after harvest.

Shellfish trail frame attends events throughout the state. Shellfishtrail.org

Like shellfish? Then the Washington Shellfish Trail is where to start your next journey. Since 2017, volunteers have been working with folks that grow, cook, and display shellfish to create a fun trail that bivalve enthusiasts can follow toexplore all that is shellfish in Washington.

Did you know that the North Bay WDFW property boasts the largest population of Olympia oysters in Puget Sound? How about that Chelsea Oyster Farm has an award winning oyster bar in Olympia’s waterfront core featuring Totten oysters grown in Mason County?

Similar to to Eastern Washington wine trails, the shellfish trail will bring you from the Columbia River north to the Canadian border and explore not only Washington’s famous oysters, but also clams, geoduck, and mussels. Visit farms, gather your own shellfish off public beaches and attend events that embrace this resource, like OysterFest, (October 5-6, Shelton). The Washington Shellfish Trail will guide you on your year-round journey.

The shellfish trail is a project sponsored by the National Sea Grant Program and was developed by Image In Action Design and Washington Sea Grant. Through a partnership with the mapping and itinerary capabilities of ScenicWA, followers of the trail are able to select geographical tour or focus on one specific type of shellfish.

Building upon the other Washington trail systems such as the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway, all of the stops include specific points of interest and learning opportunities that will enhance your adventure. This and more are highlighted features on the trail. Like OysterFest, (October, Shelton) water quality and safe shellfish handling are also prominent themes.

Visit shellfishtrail.org to learn more about the Washington shellfish trail including information on itineraries, road trips and shellfish sites and events you can enjoy.

It is best practice to read posted warnings or call the Marine Toxins Hotline 1-800-562-5632 for a recording before consuming product. Visit the Shellfish Safety Map at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety. Clam and oyster season are beach specific and may change annually. For a list of local beaches, visit shellfishtrail.org. If you prefer to have the harvesting done for you, head over to a local farm retail store for a fresh selection.