CTFishTalk.com: Milford clamming, 11/21 - Connecticut Saltwater Reports ( CT Saltwater Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

fish4fun · Joined: 23 Jul 2011 Posts: 50

I took advantage of some beautiful fall weather Monday to hit my favorite clamming spot. I was culling, and ended up with 64 littlenecks and chererystones before my bucket started to sink.

This time of year makes it tuff for me to get out there. I can only go to my spot on a really low tide, and most of those are in the dark, or when I'm at work. I actually took a couple of my remaining vacation days to make sure I could get out there before the cold weather sets in.

samthefisherman · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 51

were are you clamming? it looks like laurel beach to me.

kennethshaw · Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 60

Resurrecting an old thread, but I'd like to try clamming with my two kids. Is Milford a good place to go for clams? Any tips?

Thanks!

Ken

fish4fun · Joined: 23 Jul 2011 Posts: 50

Since you don't need a license to clam Milford, it gets alot of pressure, and good spots are hard to find. They also don't seed the beds like some other coastal towns, so there are better choices if you want quantity. To get to some of the better spots you might have to wade thru 4 to 5 feet of water in the troughs on a low moon tide which would be tough for small children.There are people that find some in the wet sand by looking for small holes, but its a knack to find the right holes.and they usually find alot less than the waders.
my advise would look for groups in one area while clamming during the moon tides. Your bound to find a few wherever you go, but if you find a good spot you to get a few dozen mostly bigger size clams. It can get boring an repetitive, but you can see a video of me clamming one of my better spots in Milford here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C1F-KNMf68
Also due to warm water this summer, dep has closed alot of clamming beds in ct. Milford is open from the Walnut beach pier to C.I. sandbar, but they are advising extreme caution on the handling of your catch. They want you to ice your catch as soon as possible.

kennethshaw · Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 60

Thanks fish4fun for the info. I'm just starting out with hunting hardshell game. I recently did a little crabbing which turned into fiascos. The first day, I slipped in the mud, fell flat on my back, much to the amusement of my twin daughters. Guess they need moments like that with dad.

I assume there is a fee to pay for parking in Milford for non-residents. Are fall months better to go? The one time I did go clamming in Rhode Island, I did exactly what you said and looked for the holes. It was pretty fun and I'd like to get better at it.

Let me know if you would prefer I private message you so your secrets are safe.

Thanks again.

Ken

fish4fun · Joined: 23 Jul 2011 Posts: 50

ken, there is usually, (not always) someone collecting I believe 5 dollars at walnut beach for out of towners, but that will stop after labor day. Any time of the year is good for clamming with some of the lowest tides of the year in the spring. But clams are more subject to bacteria in warm water, if not kept cool.
I have no problem posting info here, but can't give locations for clams. You might swing by the Milford Boat ramp docks for crabs. Can be good at times, an no mud to slip on.

clinteastwood · Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 87

Brings back some old memories when we used to go all the way to Westport from Stratford in our boat so my old man could clam down there and then we would go all the way back to Stratford and put the boat back on the trailer. He loved clams. I didn't care for them but I helped him dig them back in the day. We would fish first of course, and then when the tide was going out we headed down there.