📋 Cape Cod Shellfishing Permits & Regulations
Clamming and crabbing are Cape Cod traditions, but before you head out with your bucket and rake, you’ll need a shellfishing permit. Each town manages its own shellfish beds and sets specific rules for size, limits, and open areas.
At Kid’s Katch, we’ve rounded up quick links to every Cape Cod town’s shellfishing information so you can spend less time searching and more time digging in the sand. Be sure to check local regulations — and don’t forget to keep an eye on tide charts and shellfish closures.
Permit Links By Town
🦪 Barnstable
🌐 townofbarnstable.us/Shellfish
Large tidal flats, year-round opportunities.
🦪 Bourne
🌐 townofbourne.com/natural-resources
Seasonal permits available.
🦪 Brewster
🌐 brewster-ma.gov/natural-resources
Famous for long Cape Cod Bay flats.
🦪 Chatham
🌐 chatham-ma.gov/natural-resources
Great quahog and soft-shell clam grounds.
🦪 Dennis
🌐 town.dennis.ma.us/natural-resources
Family-friendly flats, good crabbing too.
🦪 Eastham
🌐 eastham-ma.gov/natural-resources
Rock Harbor & First Encounter are favorites.
🦪 Falmouth
🌐 falmouthma.gov/718/Shellfishing
Multiple access points, both bay & sound.
🦪 Harwich
🌐 harwich-ma.gov/natural-resources
Popular for steamers and quahogs.
🦪 Mashpee
🌐 mashpeema.gov/natural-resources
Scenic spots, smaller flats.
🦪 Orleans
🌐 town.orleans.ma.us/natural-resources
Skaket Beach is excellent for beginners.
🦪 Provincetown
🌐 provincetown-ma.gov/natural-resources
Outer Cape option with bay access.
🦪 Sandwich
🌐 sandwichmass.org/natural-resources
Oldest town on the Cape, traditional grounds.
🦪 Truro
🌐 truro-ma.gov/natural-resources
Smaller flats, peaceful experience.
🦪 Wellfleet
🌐 wellfleet-ma.gov/natural-resources
Famous for oysters, also great for clams.
🦪 Yarmouth
🌐 yarmouth.ma.us/natural-resources
Multiple access points on bay side.
