Shellfish harvesting in the Niantic River is by permit only.
| Clamming Permit Fees | |
|---|---|
| Daily – Resident (East Lyme or Waterford) | $10 |
| Daily – Non-resident | $15 |
| Seasonal – Resident | $50 |
| Seasonal – Non-resident | $75 |
| Seniors – Seasonal Resident | $25 |
| Seniors – Seasonal Non-Resident | $35 |
Permits can be purchased at any of the following locations:
Waterford and East Lyme Town Clerk’s Office
Mackey’s Bait & Tackle Shop, East Lyme
J & B Tackle Company, Niantic
All regulations detailed below are subject to change and may viewed on the East Lyme Town Hall website, please call the shellfish hotline to learn about current closures: (860) 444-5812
Regulations
Popular shellfish for harvest include soft shell clams (steamers), hard shell clams (quahogs), razor clams, mussels, and oysters. Regulations for these shellfish are included here for reference. Scallops are governed by distinct regulations. Shellfishing in the Niantic River is regulated under three jurisdictions:
Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission – oversees recreational shellfishing in the Niantic River
East Lyme Harbor Management/Shellfish – oversees recreational and commercial shellfishing in the Niantic Bay in East Lyme Waters
Waterford Shellfish – oversees recreational and commercial shellfishing in the Niantic Bay in Waterford Waters as well other areas of Waterford.
Areas for Harvest
The conditionally approved areas open and close for shell fishing dependent upon the season and/or rainfall. Areas “A” and “E” are conditionally approved on a year round basis. Areas “B” and “F” are closed seasonally between May 1-November 15. See map.
A 1.5-inch rainfall in a 24 hour period will result in the closure of a conditional area for a minimum of 7 days. The Commission will take water samples after 5 days and announce the opening or continued closure of the area. Closures may also take place for sewage or chemical effluent release or other public health reasons. Check out phone info line or the signal disks for the current status.