Status by phone only. Call before you go.
Areas & maps
Harvest only in DEC-certified areas. Check the DEC Public Shellfish Mapper and current temporary closures (https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/shellfishing/temporary-closures) before you go.
Permits & fees
Residency unconfirmed, ask the Town Clerk.
| Shellfish Taker's Permit | Fee not shown on town pages read — call the Town Clerk |
|---|
Limits by species
| Clams + oysters + mussels combined | 1 bushel per day (state) |
|---|---|
| Hard clams | 100 per day; 1" thickness at hinge |
| Soft clams | ½ bushel; 1½" length |
| Oysters | ½ bushel; 3" longest diameter |
| Bay scallops | 1 bushel in season; 2¼" + annual growth ring |
Season & hours
State: bay scallop season opens first Monday in November (see DEC limits PDF). Town rules may add restrictions.
Rain closure rules
NYSDEC: emergency closures follow rainfall over 3" in 24–36 hours. In summer, when water is warmer, some areas may be closed after LESS than 3". Closures may be extended beyond 7 days if water quality has not improved by day 6. North Shore embayments close at least 3 days and may reopen on day 4 after testing (Stony Brook and Mount Sinai harbors may take longer). Recorded closure line 631-444-0480, updated after 4 PM from day 3–4.
Where to buy a permit
Town Clerk (online permit portal); Town Code Chapter 166.
Notes & sources
Effective June 29, 2026: 9 acres of Cold Spring Harbor became seasonally uncertified May 1–Oct 31; 86 acres of Smithtown Bay uncertified year-round. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/shellfishing/regulatory-changes-for-harvest-areas
Latest posted status
Every Thursday: which beds are posted open, closures after rain, and season changes. Free, unsubscribe anytime.