The Maryland Watermen's Association is dedicated to the interests of all who derive beauty & benefit from Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Waters

Clam rigs or clam dredges are used to harvest soft shell clams, hard shell clams, and razor clams.  A hydraulic clam rig is a long conveyor that hangs on the side of a workboat.  The front end is lowered to the bottom where high pressure water jets, are located on the front end  of the conveyor wash the clams out of the bottom, pushing them up onto the chain mesh conveyor belt which takes the clams to the surface where the waterman picks off , or culls the legal clams.  The shells and under size clams are allowed to return to the bottom for future harvest. A large diesel engine drives the hydraulics that turn the wenches and conveyor belt.  It also powers the large water pump that washes out the clams. 

Clam rigs are restricted to certain areas of the bay. The clam rig cultivates the bottom, the same way a farmer works his land, and pumps the oxygen rich water to the bottom which helps more clams and other plant and animal life grow.  Most soft shell clams are shipped to the new England states for market. Hard shell clams are shipped all over the country, while razor clams are used locally for crab and eel bait.

Clammers of the Chesapeake Bay

Clam Dredge

Chesapeake Bay Clams for the table

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