Clamming & Crabbing
Off Season
Limited activity - check conditions
5
Crab Spots
4
Clam Spots
SLOW
Crabs
ACTIVE
Clams
5 Spots
Crabbing
4 Spots
Clamming
Slow
Blue Crabs
Active
Hard Clams
CRAB
Blue Crab Info
StatusOff Season
Min Size:4.5" point to point
Peak Season:July - September
Best Tide:Incoming / High
Note: License required for 3+ traps. No egg-bearing females!
CLAM
Clamming Info
StatusGood
Daily Limit:150 clams
Best Tide:Low Tide
Min Size:1" thick (hard)
CRITICAL: NJ Shellfish License required! Check DEP for OPEN waters - many areas closed.
GEAR
Gear Checklist
Crabbing
- - Crab traps or ring nets
- - Trot line (optional)
- - Chicken necks / bunker
- - Bushel basket
- - Measuring tool
- - Gloves
Clamming
- - Clam rake
- - Mesh basket/bag
- - Waders or water shoes
- - Gloves
- - Shellfish license
- - Cooler with ice
LINKS
Resources
Filter by County:
Showing 9 locations across 4 counties
Crabbing Spots
5 spotsNavesink River Crabbing
Crabbing - Monmouth County
Crabbing
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Best crabbing on incoming to high tide when crabs are active
Local Intel
Excellent blue crab population
Access:Various access points
Barnegat Bay Crabbing
Crabbing - Ocean County
Crabbing
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Crabs move onto flats on incoming. Trap or hand line.
Local Intel
Legendary crabbing destination
Access:Multiple bay access points
Great Egg Harbor Bay Crabbing
Crabbing - Atlantic County
Crabbing
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Prime crabbing on incoming tide in grass beds
Local Intel
Behind Ocean City - excellent crabbing
Access:Bay access points
Cape May Canal Crabbing
Crabbing - Cape May County
Crabbing
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Current brings crabs through - set traps on edges
Local Intel
Strong current carries crabs through
Access:Roadside access
Delaware Bay Crabbing
Crabbing - Cape May County
Crabbing
Best Tide
incoming
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Prime crabbing - Delaware Bay is famous for big blue crabs
Local Intel
Delaware Bay has monster blue crabs
Access:Beach access parking
Clamming Spots
4 spotsBarnegat Bay Clam Flats
Clamming - Ocean County
In SeasonClamming
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Best at low tide - flats exposed. Wade or kayak to productive beds.
Local Intel
Extensive clam flats on bay side of LBI
Access:Various bay access points
Great Bay Clam Beds
Clamming - Atlantic County
In SeasonClamming
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Low tide exposes prime clamming flats. Check shellfish closures!
Local Intel
Mullica River meets Great Bay
Access:Boat launch areas
Shark River Bay Clamming
Clamming - Monmouth County
In SeasonClamming
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Low tide access to clam beds. Check water quality advisories.
Local Intel
Protected bay area
Access:Belmar marina area
Cape May Harbor Clam Beds
Clamming - Cape May County
In SeasonClamming
Best Tide
low
Best Time
Morning
Tips:Productive clamming at low tide. Some of NJs best hard clams.
Local Intel
Cape May Harbor has excellent clams
Access:Harbor access points