DIY Clam Digging

Dig clams with a clam shovel to break the sand.

A versatile shellfish in the kitchen is the clam. You can make cream or tomato-based clam chowder, stuff and bake clams on the half-shell or cook them as part of a spaghetti sauce called frutti de mar among other dishes. Although you can purchase clams in the store, for the freshest possible clams you should head to the beach and catch your own clams for dinner. All you need is a clam shovel and a bucket to bring your catch home for a tasty and fresh seafood dinner.

Things You'll Need

• Clam shovel
• Bucket

Instructions

1. Find a clam show that is at least as large as a quarter. Clam show is a hole or dimple in the sand that marks where a clam has started to dig.

2. Place the blade end of the clam shovel 4 to 6 inches closer to the water than the clam show. Turn the shovel so that the back faces the water and push it straight down into the sand.

3. Pull the handle of the shovel towards you until the sand cracks.

4. Lift the blade up while gently pulling towards you to pull the dirt out of the hole.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you expose the clam and can pull it out of the sand.

6. Place your clam in the bucket and move on to another clam show.

Tips & Warnings

• To find clam show, look for a dimple in the sand, a raised dune with a hole in the middle or a hole with sharply defined edges. Clam show often appears at the edge of the surf line.

• Be sure to read all state laws regarding clamming before heading to the beach. States may have limited seasons or only allow a certain number of clams per person per day.

References

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Razor Clams

Resources

• Clam Digging: Info
• Mother Earth News: Why not Dig a Clam for Supper?