Licenses can also be obtained by completing and mailing in the application form (PDF). To dig a trench, place your foot halfway between the high and low tide lines and place it 45 degrees away from the tide line. Maine is home to some of the best clamming spots in the country. The best time for clam picking is in the early summer, just before spawning in July-August. You simply need knowledge and a low-cost license to start working with them. Anglers who do not live in Maine and use a rod, reel, or trap as bait must obtain a saltwater fishing permit. Many towns require a recreational license which can be obtained through the town office or municipal shellfish warden. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has a process for licensing and permitting individuals to harvest clams. To read the entire Town of Deer Isle Shellfish Conservation Ordinance, click on the link below. Shellfishing and clam digging in the mud flats of low tide can be fun for adults and kids. They may be retained year-to-year as long as the holders submit their application/annual fee before the deadline and they have no violations and the required conservation credits have been completed.You must have conservation points to maintain your license.Harvesters are encouraged to remove predators while harvesting on the Freeport Flats. A non-resident between 18 and 24 enrolled full-time in a college in Maine may be eligible for a resident rate license for fishing, hunting, & trapping. Recreational digging is allowed in Wolfe Neck . Report lost or found dogs to Yarmouth Police Department at 846-3333. Harvest season is year-round, peak is May through October. Call 207-380-5635 if you want to talk to someone. Licenses expires on May 31 next following the date of issuance. Non-resident commercial sales made up $4300.00 of the total. Maine Resident Military Currently Stationed Anywhere:Residents who are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and permanently stationed outside of Maine may purchase either a hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination hunting and fishing license for the Maine Resident Serviceman combination price upon verification that Maine is their home of record and that they are permanently stationed outside of Maine. Town of Kennebunkport, PO Box 566, 6 Elm Street, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 PH: (207) 967-4243 FAX: (207) 967-8470Town Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Website Disclaimer | Government Websites by CivicPlus | Site Map, *LD 290 - Stabilization of Property Taxes - Application and Guidance*, **Short Term Rental - FAQS and THINGS TO REMEMBER, FEMA 2017: Preliminary Maps & Information, Local Property Tax Assistance Application, Local Property Tax Assistance Information, District 2 - Cape Porpoise & Wildes District, Cape Porpoise Pier Rules Adopted 11-13-2014, Complaints against employees of the Kennebunkport Police Department, Updated: Posted Roads - February 27, 2023until April 3, 2023, Kennebunk High School Accreditation Report, Trash & Recycling Pickup 2023 Printable Calendar. An additional $25 fee is charged for renewals of licenses obtained after January 31. That being said, some of the best places for clam digging are along the coast of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Title 12, 6601: Commercial shellfish license Licenses can also be obtained by completing and mailing in theapplication form (PDF). Dealers reported buying a total of 9,484.694 pounds out of 9,619.29 available pounds with a reported value of $19,269,438 for an average price per pound of $2,032. Shellfish Licenses | Freeport ME Each person must obtain a license from the Town Office or Camping Area for harvesting of Softshell Clams, Hen/Surf Clams, and Quahogs. For example, there is a license required for those wishing to harvest soft-shell clams, but not for those wishing to harvest hard-shell clams. Towns may also require recreational licenses although the state does not require a license to harvest for personal consumption. The Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages . Towns may occasionally close shellfish beds for conservation of the resource or because of polluted waters. Surf clams also known as hen clams are very large and fast growing clams which can grow to 8 inches or more and weigh over a pound. Commercial Fishing | Department of Marine Resources For more information on clamming, clam biology, clam management, and marine resources research in Bar Harbor go to the Marine Resources Committee page. Shellfish - Town of Phippsburg Recreational limit is 2 bushels per person daily. Biddeford, ME The town also produces a small pamphlet with harvesting information and links to important information that is available here. Maine Lobster Boat Racing: Be a Spectator! Anchor & Hope SF was created with the goal of providing people with accurate and reliable information about seafood. Any person wishing to dig shellfish must possess a shellfish license. Clams shall not be sold. Waved whelks are medium sized with both axial and spiral ridges on their shell. Dealers reported buying a total of 9,492.096 pounds out of 9,619.29 available pounds with a reported value of $19,280,500 for an average price per pound of $2,031. Hinge width is measured at the thickest part of the clam near where the shells are joined together. Clammers are the most effective at finding clams by looking for tell-tale holes in sand, mud, or clay left by them. Shellfish and Snail Identification and Recreational Limits - Maine I love being a child again, up to the elbows and ankles in mud. A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older, to fish in inland waters or transport fish taken from inland waters. They are referred to by different names depending on their size. They can also be found in other parts of the world, particularly on the Pacific Coast, in Alaska, Washington, California, and Western Europe. Licenses will be available for purchase at Town Hall beginning Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 B. TM 1996-2023 Mystic Media, Inc. & Visit New England. Im digging for clams to steam for tonights supper on the beachalthough you dont have to dig in the mud with your bare hands, like I do! It is effective January through December of the year purchased. Because clams prefer to live in sand, mud, and rocky areas, it is best to find them in bays and estuaries. The commission's responsibilities include: If the water is lower than usual and the clams are digging deeper, a minus tide is a good bet. Licenses & Permits - Scarborough, Town of Maine is home to some of the best clamming spots in the country. Minimum Clam Size = 2 INCHES Maximum amount of clams per license per day: 1 PECK (1 peck = bushel = 2 gallons = 8 quarts. Crystal Hitchings, Bold Coast Scenic Byway in the true Downeast Maine, from Milbridge to Eastport. Minimum size is determined by a numerical count. Your investment in a lifetime license for yourself or as a gift, will allow the bearer to fish, trap, and/ or hunt for their lifetime, regardless of where they will live in the future. The most common type of clam found in Maine is the quahog, which can be found in both salt and freshwater. They naturally grow on oyster reefs but most of Maine's American oysters are grown on aquaculture lease sites. Note: Nonresidents who operate any motorized watercraft or aircraft equipped with pontoons on inland waters must display a Lake & River Protection Sticker in addition to a current boat registration sticker. Residents pay $50, while those over 62 receive a free ride. 2023 Parking Information (Fees, Hours, Interactive Map) Parking Passes. In the Damariscotta River, Sheepscot River, and New Meadows Lakes; there is a Vibrio Control Plan in place that closes recreational harvest from May 1st to October 31st each year. Some argue that clams are the best seafood one can consume, but thats not the case. Digging Clams in Downeast Maine - Where to dig, licenses Licenses are valid from April 1 to March 31. Recreational fees are $12.00 (plus $5.00 water quality fee) for residents. The types of licenses, their costs, and the duration of the licenses are given in the application. Saltwater Fishing: A NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License is required for individual anglers age 16 and older participating . Effective January 1, 2019, Alien licenses will no longer be available. Licensing events are held between June 1 and May 31 in the United States. 2019-20 Maine Scallop Season Overview; 2020-21 Maine Scallop Season Overview; 2021-22 Maine Scallop Season Overview; Sea Cucumbers; Sea Urchins; Shrimp (Northern) Worms (Marine) Whelks; Licenses. Bar Harbor, ME It takes about three to four years for a clam to grow to legal size, which is two inches (2'). Shellfish Licenses | Brunswick, ME Despite the fact that their populations have declined over the last few decades, diggers can still find enough clams to feed a large crowd at most Southern California beaches. Nicholas Upham is the Shellfish Warden. Flat Opening/Closings The open clamming areas in Bar Harbor are described and mapped on the following documents provided by the Maine Department of Marine Resources: Closure Document for Area EI Closure Map for Area EI Closure Document for Area EG Closure Map for Area EG Why does the old owner's name appear on my tax bill. After a few minutes on a falling tide, youll have a delicious meal. Soft shell clams are a native species that live in mud, sand and gravel intertidal areas. Who do I contact to register my vehicle in Bar Harbor? Maine is home to many different types of clams, making it a popular destination for recreational clamming. Shellfish over age 70 A $ 67 Shellfish license covers: Shellstock clams, quahogs other A permit is also required in order to dig for clams in Maine. Commercial clam licenses and non-resident recreational licenses are issued through the St.George Town Office Phone (207) 372-6363 and Fax (207) 372-8954. Oyster licenses are required for all ages. Maine to reimburse 2022 fishing license fees - WABI-TV If you find a baby clam, move it away. Recreational Licenses . Remaining Quota - 0.96. The Maine Department of Marine Resources is working to keep shellfish poisoning out of the state. Many towns require recreational licenses which can be obtained through the town office or municipal shellfish warden. The holder of an enhanced retail certificate may, in the retail trade within the state limits, buy, sell, transport, ship or serve: A. Shellstock bought from a commercial shellfish license holder . To apply for a Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License, download the Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License form here and return it to the town office. Video Description: I took a trip up to Cutler, Maine for this past years 4th of July weekend and frantically tried to swallow up as much of the atmosphere as possible. The number of commercial licenses available is adjusted annually by the Marine Resources Committee. If you are in doubt as to the status of a particular shellfish harvesting area or cannot access the DMR online map, contact the Harbormaster at 207-288-5571, Town Clerk, or Maine DMR. An electronic license or permit can now be displayed in lieu of a physical paper license or permit. PENOBSCOT. Without a license, you could be fined up to $500. Many towns require a recreational harvest license which can be obtained through the town office or municipal shellfish warden. After a few, gently place them in your bucket (or basket), top off with fresh water, and then return to the beach. According to Melvin, clams can produce in excess of 1 million seeds per clam, or a minimum of 19.2 billion potential clams per upweller. 353 Water Street A quarter-pound of Maines most famous bivalve can be purchased for $1, or approximately 12 pounds of pecks of clams. All other laws and regulations apply on these days. Shellfish may be harvested from the shores and flats of Kennebunkport on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only from April 15th thru February 15th with a limit of one peck per week. Licenses are issued annually July 1 and are valid through June 30. In order to engage in recreational saltwater fishing in Maine, a person must first obtain a registration with the state, regardless of whether or not they meet one of the following exemptions. Contact the town clerk for information. Clam digging is a popular activity in Maine, and a permit is required in order to harvest clams. The Biddeford City Clerks office issues annual recreational shellfishing licenses to residents and non-residents. Most people wear rubber gloves and boots and dig clams with a 4-tined rake called a hoe. The application fee is due at the time of permit application. Remaining Quota - 0.96. A license is required if you want to harvest lobster or crab in Maine. In order to get a clamming license in Maine, you must first obtain a Maine saltwater fishing license. Maine Clamming: Get Your License Before You Dig Without a permit, you are not allowed to keep any clams you find. A maximum of 10 gaper clams may be kept; however, dug clams regardless of size or condition must be kept until they reach the limit. Town Hall, 93 Cottage Street. Fees are waived for Bar Harbor residents under 16 and over 65 years old. Business Licenses & Permits - Scarborough, Town of Flat Opening/Closings The open clamming areas in Bar Harbor are described and mapped on the following documents provided by the Maine Department of Marine Resources: Closure Document for Area EI Closure Map for Area EI Closure Document for Area EG Closure Map for Area EG On the northern beaches, razor clam beds are exposed at any time of the day or night by a minus tide. As long as the shells are not smaller than 2 inches in length, harvesting soft-shell clams in Georgetown is legal. Nonresident Commercial Shellfish License Fee: $402.00 For rules and regulations please visit here Recreational Shellfish License Title 12, 6852: Retail seafood license - Maine Legislature I witnessed all the Cutler traditions of the 4th, some of which included crate races, a parade (which I ended up riding in! Bivalves are commonly found in the ocean, including the quahog (a type of clam), the boston bream (a type of fish), and the johnnycake (a type of lobster). The good news is that getting a license is easy and only costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. The Maine Shellfish Sanitation Hotline number is 800-232-4733. The fees for licenses and the enforcement of the shellfish ordinance for the Town of Bar Harbor only apply to the taking of soft shell clams (steamers),Mya arenaria. Individuals 12 years or younger do not need a license to assist a recreational shellfish license holder in harvesting not more than one peck of shellfish in total per day. If youre looking to find clams, make sure you know where the tide is. crossbow, archery, etc.). Razor clams are regulated by DMR and some coastal towns with a shellfish conservation ordinance. Clamming is a popular activity among tourists and locals alike, and can be done from the shore or from a boat. Maine Department of Marine Resources The table quality of clams is generally thought to be the best in the early summer, just before spawning season. Town Hall, 93 Cottage Street Bar Harbor, ME Phone: 207-288-5571 A shellfish license is required to take shellfish from flats located in Bar Harbor. John Hentzs job is to make sure that no one digs for contaminated clams. When a beach is overpopulated, small clams from another area are used to seed it. Pounds Reported - 619.04. Shellfish recreational limits: The one peck per day limit is for a combined total regardless of species harvested. *** Nonresident 15-day fishing license may be exchanged for a nonresident season fishing license upon payment of $17 plus the agent's fee. These licenses can be obtained at Maine Bureau of Veterans Services Central Office located at (Camp Keyes) 194 Winthrop Street Augusta, ME 04333 or emailing [email protected] Soft shelled clams are regulated by DMR and coastal towns with a shellfish conservation ordinance. Shellfish Licenses | Town of Kennebunkport, ME Coin Operator License. See theShellfish Ordinancefor more details. Other types of clams that can be found in Maine include the soft-shell clam, the razor clam, and the geoduck. Commercial Resident with Conservation $ 500. Shell heaps from native settlements are scattered along the coast, including at Machias, Passamaquoddy, Cobscook, and Frenchman Bays, and at Bar Harbor (in Wabanaki, the clam-gathering place). Definition. License Requirements and Fees - Maine Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.