Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet), Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) shellfish beaches update
Action: Extends clam, mussel, and oyster harvest at Belfair State Park, opens clam, mussel and oyster harvest at Duckabush Tidelands and Triton Cove Tidelands, and extends oyster harvest at Point Whitney Tidelands and Point Whitney Lagoon; opens and modifies other previously announced changes to public shellfish beaches in marine areas 9 and 12.
Effective dates: Oct. 14, 2026, until further notice.
Species affected: Clams, mussels, and oysters.
Locations and rules:
- Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet):
- All public beaches within Port Gamble Bay south of a line drawn from Teekalet Point (Port Gamble) to Point Julia: closed until further notice.
- All public beaches from the northern edge of the mouth Mats Mats Bay to Paradise Bay, including Mats Mats Bay and Port Ludlow Bay: closed until further notice.
- Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal):
- All public beaches south of a line drawn from Triton Head to Tekiu Point and west of a line extending from Sisters Point due south to 47.34970, -123.04196 on the southern shore of Hood Canal: Closed to harvest.
- Public beaches north of a line drawn from Triton Head to Tekiu Point and east of line extending from Sisters Point due south to 47.34970, -123.04196 on the southern shore of Hood Canal: Follow seasons listed on WDFW public beach pages, searchable using the WDFW Find a Beach tool or the Washington Shellfish Safety Map.
- Belfair State Park: Open to clam, mussel, and oyster harvest through Oct. 31.
- Duckabush: Open to clam, mussel, and oyster harvest until further notice.
- Point Whitney Tidelands and Point Whitney Lagoon: Open to oyster harvest through Oct. 31.
- Triton Cove Tidelands: Open to clam and mussel harvest through Oct. 31.
Reason for action: This action rescinds portions of a previously announced Marine Area 9 and Marine Area 12 closure of recreational clam, mussel, and oyster harvest in some parts of Hood Canal affected by dangerous levels of biotoxins in shellfish, aligning with a Washington State Department of Health (DOH) advisory. This action is necessary to make up for lost opportunity this summer due to the previously announced biotoxin closure by extending the harvest season at Belfair State Park, Triton Cove Tidelands, and Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon. Improvements in water quality allow public tidelands on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)-managed Duckabush Wildlife Area Unit to open early for harvest.
Additional information: DOH advises against harvest and consumption of geoducks, butter clams, and varnish clams in areas that are open to shellfish harvest north of the line between Triton Head and Tekiu Point. Learn more about shellfish safety at the DOH recreational shellfish webpage.
Always check the Washington Shellfish Safety Map before harvesting and the WDFW beach page for the beach you are visiting to confirm seasons are open. Learn more about marine biotoxins on the DOH marine biotoxin webpage.
This action modifies the previous WDFW closure of a portion of Marine Area 9, but harvesters should be aware of DOH status in other parts of Marine Area 9 before harvesting.
The oyster gathering season at Point Whitney Tidelands and Lagoon has been extended through Oct. 31 to offset lost opportunity there; these beaches remain closed to clam harvest to allow recovery of clam populations.
Belfair State Park clam, mussel, and oyster seasons have been extended through Oct. 31 to offset lost opportunity. Triton Cove Tidelands clam and mussel season has been extended to Oct. 31 to offset lost opportunity, and oysters are open year-round at this location. Other Hood Canal beaches may see season extensions when biotoxin status allows for re-opening.
Following improvements in water quality, DOH upgraded the Duckabush growing area, allowing for an earlier harvest season opening.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Fish Program, 360-902-2700.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.
Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.