Washington Shellfish Species

Crabs, clams, scallops, mussels, crayfish, shrimp and oysters all are popular shellfish species in the state of Washington. Shellfish are aquatic animals, and as the name implies, they have an outer shell. Most shellfish in Washington are harvested for food or because of the decorative nature of their shells.

  1. Crabs

    • There are five main types of crabs that can be found in Washington. These species of crabs include the Dungeness crab, red rock crab, box crab, king crab and various small shore crabs. Local people fish for two of those species, the Dungeness crabs and red rock crabs. The box crab and king crab live in deep waters off the coast of Washington, which means they are rarely seen by people except for divers and fishermen off the coast. The small species of shore crabs are often found under rocks and other places of cover on shorelines.

    Clams

    • There are a wide variety of clams in Washington that people harvest. The most popular species of clams include the manila clam, native littleneck clam, bent-nosed clam, butter clam, soft-shell clam, razor clam and horse clam. There are some other varieties of clams in Washington, but they are not sought after by recreational clam gatherers like these varieties are. Each clam can be identified by its size and shape of its shell. For example, the horse clam is around 8 inches long, while the bent-nosed clam has a bend to it and is only 1 to 2 inches in size.

    Scallops and Mussels

    • Popular types of scallops found in Washington by recreational harvesters include pink scallops, spiny scallops and the purple-hinged rock scallop. Blue mussels and California mussels are the two most commonly harvested mussels in the state. Scallops and mussels are highly prized as a tasty food. Purple-hinged rock scallop shells are often covered by algae and other or organisms, giving them an unappealing appearance. Pink and spiny scallops are smaller and have a much nicer appearance since they are not covered by other organisms. The California mussel is much larger than the blue mussel, since it reaches lengths of 8 inches compared to 3 inches.

    Oysters

    • Oysters are a popular shellfish harvested in Washington. The most popular varieties harvested include the Pacific oyster and Olympia oyster. The Pacific oyster can reach large sizes of 12 inches, but are more commonly around 3 to 4 inches in size. Olympia oysters are small, normally less than 2 inches across. Both oysters come in irregular shapes depending on where they are found and the conditions they are living in.

    Crayfish and Shrimp

    • Shrimp are also a popular catch for fisherman in Washington. Shrimp seasons in Washington vary by location and determine when shrimp can be harvested. Crayfish are also a species of shellfish that is becoming a popular item in Washington. Crayfish are often described as a smaller freshwater version of lobsters, which is accurate statement. Both crayfish and shrimp are harvested as culinary delicacies.