SHELLFISH & seafood

tasting the local waters.

It’s a great time to head to Hood Canal and South Puget Sound to harvest and enjoy the bivalve bounty. Many State Parks and DNR beaches are open for public harvesting; all you need is a license, boots, bucket and a sense of adventure! Prefer to have the harvesting done for you? Pick up fresh oysters at one of the local markets or be shellfish and immerse yourself by staying at an oyster resort or visiting a farm for a tour! Want to know more about oysters? Check out this fun link or download our handy guide to shellfish gathering on Hood Canal and South Puget Sound!

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The bivalves of Hood Canal and South Puget Sound.

Shellfish harvesting is subject to seasonal rules, biotoxin alerts, and conditional closures. Always verify before heading out.

Check Before You Go

WA DOH Biotoxin Hotline

Washington monitors for PSP, domoic acid, and other biotoxins. Closures can happen with 24-hour notice — the single most important check before any wild harvest.

Check Biotoxin Status

Seasonal

WDFW Shellfish Seasons & Limits

WDFW sets daily limits, seasons, and site-specific rules. You need a shellfish/seaweed license. Geoduck have especially strict limits — always verify your specific beach.

WDFW Shellfish Info

Often Open

Twanoh State Park

Popular public harvesting beach on Hood Canal near Union. Great for clams and oysters. Check WDFW for current limits and any site-specific closures.

Beach Status

Often Open

Potlatch State Park

Public harvesting beach in southern Hood Canal. Excellent for Manila clams and native oysters. One of the most popular harvest sites in the region.

Beach Status

Varies

Lilliwaup & Grapeview Beaches

Multiple public beaches near Lilliwaup and Grapeview on Case Inlet. Conditions vary by season — confirm with WDFW before visiting.

Find a Beach

Always Open

Get Your License Online

Washington shellfish/seaweed licenses are available online from WDFW. Also available at local vendors in Shelton and Hoodsport.

Buy a License

tasting the local waters.

MARKET WATCH

Beach-fresh oysters, clams, mussels and geoduck are available at locations throughout the area. Many locals & farms will help you out with a quick shucking or prepping lesson. Always remember to keep shellfish cold. Safe handling is key to a great experience!

A fish farm with nets and buoys in a body of water, surrounded by trees, with mountains in the background and cloudy skies.

PLAN A FARM VISIT

Taylor Shellfish’s headquarters are located just South of Shelton. Hama Hama Oysters on Hood Canal offers classes on the farm and the Oyster Saloon serves some great food and drink. The Olympic Oyster Co. (Mike’s) invites guests to stay at their farm.

low tiDE harvesting

Prefer to gather your own? Many public beaches are open to harvest with a shellfish license. Popular sites include Twanoh, Potlatch, Lilliwaup and Grapeview on the South Sound. Always be aware of seasons, weather conditions, conditional closures and limits to harvesting.

Person standing on a rocky shoreline holding a piece of rock or shell in their hand.

SHELLFISH GUIDE

Mason County’s saltwater bays and inlets along Hood Canal and South Puget Sound are renown for some of the tastiest & freshest bivalves in the Northwest. Pristine waters, plenty of wilderness and public beaches stocked annually for the public to enjoy. Download our handy guide to shellfish gathering on the Hood Canal & South Puget Sound. View Shellfish Guide

Getting Your Shellfish (& other) Licenses

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Licenses Available Online

http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov

Bayshore Shell

3841 SR-3, Shelton, WA

Shelton Fred Meyer # 603

Fred Meyer #603

301 E Wallace Kneeland Blvd., Shelton, WA, 98584

Verle’s Sports Center & Marine

741 West Golden Pheasant Rd Shelton, WA 98584

Hood Canal Outfitters

24151 US-101, Hoodsport, WA 98548

Seafood Dining in Mason County

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Fjord Oyster Bank

The Fjord Oyster Bank in Hoodsport began as humble oyster bar inspiration and evolved into a legacy restaurant honoring the recipes of legendary seafood chef, Xinh Dwelley.

Blondie's Family Diner

This clean and cozy cafe is located on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Shelton, next to the Shelton Inn. With plenty of parking, this popular local hangout is great for breakfast lunch and dinner with casual dining and home cooking.

Lake Nahwatzel Resort

Family-friendly restaurant with a large menu and great views

Little Creek Casino & Resort

A variety of different restaurants at the resort.

Spencer Lake Bar & Grill

The menu includes prime rib, steaks, local seafood, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and a full breakfast menu. The lounge offers about the largest selection of Pull Tab games in the state.

Taylor Station

Breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in clams, oysters and razor clams. Banquet room, full service lounge, pool table, pull tabs.

Wilde Irish Pub

Fresh, seasonal, and local food. Irish fare is a staple on the menu and all are made fresh daily. They do our corned beef slow and low so it is always fork tender.

The Restaurant At Alderbrook

Fresh local seafood, dry aged beef, world-class wines and waterfront views makes restaurant a destination in itself, outdoor patio takeout

The Hook & Fork

Year-round community gathering space offering local snacks, art, gifts, and specialty grocery items located on Hood Canal within a working marina

Hama Hama Oyster Saloon

An outdoor eatery and farm-to-table restaurant focusing on shellfish grown and harvested on site. Open year round for waterfront seating.

Model T Pub & Eatery

Famous for pressure fried chicken and jo's and equally proud of their burgers, seafood baskets, artisan style sandwiches and pub style appetizers and munchies. Ice cold beer and cider through 11 rotating tap handles with many of other favorite beer, wine and seltzers available in bottles and cans. Open daily at 11 AM.

Wise Guys Italian | Belfair

A small family owned Italian food truck serving pasta dishes, meatball subs, clam chowder bread bowls, as well as fresh lobster shipped directly from Maine. Has outdoor seating, fireplace and serves vegetarian dishes. Open Friday-Sunday, 12-7 PM.

Burger Claim & More

Belfair full service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving gourmet hand crafted burgers, beer and wine, gluten-free & vegetarian options.

The Boat House Restaurant

The Boat House accepts reservations in the dining room and the bar and outdoor patio dining areas are fully available for walk-in, first come first serve.

The Bistro

The Bistro offers a full menu with expanded offerings, daily specials, a great Sunday brunch, friendly atmosphere in a beautiful location on the gof course overlooking the lake.

Local Seafood For Sale

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Fjord Oyster Bank

Purchase prepped seafood in the restaurant or take home oysters by the dozen (raw and BBQ) or clams by the pound. Harvested from Hammersly Inlet.

Union City Market

Selection of fresh raw oysters available at market.

Hunter Farms in Union

At their general store, you can find a wide assortment of home-grown vegetables, pasture-raised beef, farm-fresh eggs, oysters, salmon, local honey, Olympic Mountain ice cream, and many more local Washington finds.

Hama Hama Oysters

Active farm with oyster, clam, and seasonal off-site seafood sales in the farm store. Try the smoked salmon and crab cakes!

Taylor Shellfish

Farm store with selection of fresh seafood as well as canned and frozen.

Seafood Events

because we love celebrating shellfish as much as eating it!

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Shrimpfest

Once again rebranded as “ShrimpFest,” this event celebrated the return of Hood Canal shrimp with a gastronomic celebration of seafood and music!

Hama Hama Farm Days

Visit the farm and harvest your own bounty of oysters and clams!

OysterFest & Northwest Oyster Shucking Championship

Hundreds of non-profits and volunteers come together to create seafood dishes especially showcasing the local oysters.

Allyn Days & Geoduck Festival

Allyn Community Association is pleased to host the annual Allyn Days Festival at the Allyn Waterfront Park on Case Inlet.

Adventurers and Seafood fans gather to enjoy salmon bake (SAT) low tide mud run, oyster shucking competition (SUN), a vendor area for shopping, a beer garden, kids activities, live music and dancing.

Fjordin Crossin

Ready to cross the Fjord in your non-motorized vessel in honor of Hardware Distillery’s Aquavit release? Listen for the horn to compete in a 2-mile paddle, where you earn your complimentary event bandana, Aquavit cup, and prizes. Calling all paddlers, novices, and families—this is a fun event to include the kids and create long-lasting memories on the shores of Hood Canal!

BACK TO ALL ACTIVITIES

Enjoy the water? View Boating, Fishing, Kayak & Stand Up Paddle spots and SCUBA in the Hood Canal.

Bivalves In Mason County

Pacific Oyster

(not native) Up to 12”, white/gray oblong shell with irregular, wavy edges; found in the intertidal zone.

Olympia Oyster

Up to 3”, the rounded shell is white to purplish black and may be striped with yellow or brown; the flesh has a metallic flavor. It is currently protected in wild habitats.

Geoduck

Up to 10”, 2.5 – 10 lbs. Gaping white oblong shell with concentric rings; siphon too large to withdraw. Depth: 2-3’, found in mud, sand, gravel in subtidal zone.

Cockle

Up to 5” with round shell; evenly-spaced radiating ridges fanning from hinge; mottled, light brown color; found at 1-2” in sand, mud in intertidal or subtidal zone.

Butter Clam

Up to 5”; shell with concentric rings (no radiating ridge lines); yellow to grey/white; 1-1.5’ in the sand, gravel, or cobble in the lower intertidal or shallow subtidal zone.

Manila Littleneck Clam

(not native) Up to 2.5”, oblong shell; typically grey,brown, or mottled and often with what appears to be handpainted designs; some purple on the inside; found at 2-4” in gravel, mud, sand, above the half-tide level.

Native Littleneck Clam

Up to 3.5” with rounded shell, concentric rings and radiating ridge lines, cream, brown, or mottled; white inside shell; f 6-10” deep in gravel, mud, mid-tide level.

Mussels

Blue up to 3”, California up to 6”, Mediterranean (non-native) up to 5”. Oblong shell, blue-black or brown; attaches to hard surfaces in the intertidal zone.

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