Clamming Regulations

Current Fishing Regulations

Fishing Licenses

Other Resources

Fishing Wisconsin: 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 [exit DNR]

    • State Threatened

  • Rock Pocketbook
  • Buckhorn (Pistolgrip)
  • Wartyback [exit DNR]
  • Monkeyface
  • Slippershell
  • Ellipse [exit DNR]
  • Salamander mussel

    • State Threatened & Endangered

  • Winged Maple Leaf

    • 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.

    Last Revised: Wednesday February 06 2008