Clamming (Mussels) Regulations for 2009-2010
The word "clam" is a general legal definition used in Wisconsin's clamming law that refers to freshwater mussels.
This Web page is a summary of Wisconsin's clamming statutes and administrative rules. Refer to Section 29.537, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 24, Wisconsin Administrative Code for the specific law and regulations that govern commercial and noncommercial clamming in Wisconsin.
Also Section 29.604, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 27, Wisconsin Administrative Code for requirements pertaining to threatened and endangered species.
Commercial Clamming - Closed
All Wisconsin waters have been closed to commercial clamming. Note: These Web pages are a summary of Wisconsin's clamming statutes and administrative rules. Refer to Section 29.537, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 24, Wisconsin Administrative Code for the specific law and regulations that govern commercial and noncommercial clamming in Wisconsin.
See also Section 29.604, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 27, Wisconsin Administrative Code for requirements pertaining to threatened and endangered species.
Open Clamming Waters - Closed to Commercial Clamming
ALL waters are closed to commercial clamming in Wisconsin. Note: These Web pages are a summary of Wisconsin"s clamming statutes and administrative rules. Refer to Section 29.537, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 24, Wisconsin Administrative Code for the specific law and regulations that govern commercial and noncommercial clamming in Wisconsin.
See also Section 29.604, Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 27, Wisconsin Administrative Code for requirements pertaining to threatened and endangered species.
Pearl Hunting - Illegal in Wisconsin Waters
It is no longer legal to harvest live clams from the waters of the state.
Dead shells that are not from endangered or threatened mussel species may be collected.
Personal Clamming - Illegal in Wisconsin Waters
It is no longer legal to take live clams from Wisconsn waters.
Under current rules, a person may take dead shell only (except shells from threatened or endangered species) on all public Wisconsin waters.
Threatened or Endangered Mussel Species
It is illegal to remove threatened or endangered clams from any Wisconsin water.
The following clam species are protected and may not be harvested. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will inform the public of any changes as they occur. Penalties for taking, possessing, transporting or selling threatened or endangered species are more severe than those listed above for commercial clam species. If you are in doubt, leave the shell where you found it.
State Endangered
- Higgins' Eye Pearly Mussel
- Yellow Sandshell
- Slough Sandshell
- Spectacle Case
- Purple Wartyback
- Butterfly
- Elephant Ear
- Snuffbox
- Ebony Shell
- Bullhead
- Rainbow Shell
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