CDFW Teams Up With Pismo Beach PD To Shut Down Illegal Clamming Harvesting

The following is courtesy of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association:

CDFW Assists Pismo Beach Police with Clamming Investigation

Posted on October 8, 2026

PISMO BEACH – During the weekend of October 3-4, 2026, a Pismo Beach Police officer observed a group of four people in possession of what appeared to be a large quantity of clams well after legal clamming hours had ended. Upon contacting the four individuals, two fled the scene, although one later returned.

During the investigation, officers recovered 494 Pismo clams, only 16 of which met the legal size requirement for harvest. None of the individuals possessed a valid fishing license, measuring device, or clam fork. The three subjects, all from the Bay Area, were arrested and booked into the county jail on multiple commercial fishing-related violations. Thanks to the efforts of responding personnel, all recovered clams were successfully reburied and are expected to survive.

Pismo Beach Police extended its appreciation to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for providing assistance with this investigation.

Pismo clams were once over-overharvested and their numbers severely depleted. Due to years of conservation efforts and strict regulations, their population is steadily recovering.

Pismo Beach Police is asking visitors to familiarize themselves with and to follow all applicable clamming laws and regulations.

– Clammers must possess a valid fishing license and an accurate (rigid) measuring device.

– Pismo clams must measure at least 4 1/2? in length to be possessed.

– Undersized Pismo clams must be immediately reburied, two inches deep, in the area where dug.

– Bag limit is 10 Pismo clams.

– Hours of clamming are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.