Shellfishing Archives - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

More Shellfishing Info

The clam flats in both the North and South Rivers are open from November 1 to May 31st unless there is a Red Tide. Please visit the Division of Marine Fisheries website for more information.

Town of Marshfield shellfish information. Permits can be obtained from the Harbormaster.
Town of Scituate shellfish regulations. Permits can be obtained from the Town Clerk.
North River Shellfishing Map
South River Shellfishing Map

The North River shellfish beds are open from the 3A bridge to the mouth. The South River shellfish beds are open from a line drawn across the South River from Grand View Avenue in Marshfield to Central Avenue to the Humarock section of Scituate. The beds are open to recreational harvest with a valid shellfish permit.

The NSRWA’s role in opening shellfish beds

In spring of 2011, the South River shellfish beds reopened after twenty years of closures. Over the past two decades, we have together worked with the Towns of Scituate and Marshfield to improve water quality by increasing treatment of polluted runoff from rainstorms; upgrading septic systems; and extending the sewer system in Marshfield. Over the past 5 years, in order to open the beds the water quality had to be tested consistently to prove that water quality had improved to safe shellfishing levels. The town of Marshfield’s Harbormaster stepped up to help ensure that the Division of Marine Fisheries could collect that data consistently. We appreciate both the Town of Marshfield and Division of Marine Fisheries persistence in making the opening a reality. And of course thank you to our members for supporting the cause of cleaner water!

Reset

List View
Map View

Marshfield Town Landing

Address: 1176 Ferry St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Parking: Public parking for cars. Trailer parking requires daily or annual launch sticker from Marshfield Harbormaster.

Size: 1 acre

Norwell Town Landing

Address: 67 Bridge St, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

Parking: Limited on-site parking for Norwell residents. Green Norwell recycling sticker required.

Union Street Bridge

Address: 67 Bridge St, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

Parking: Limited parking on Marshfield side. Limited on-site parking on the Norwell side with Norwell residents with green recycling sticker.

Marshfield Launch and Brooks-Tilden Shipyard

Address: 1361 Union St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Parking: Limited on-site parking.

Size: 15 acres

Bulman Marine at King’s Landing

Address: 80 King's Landing, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

Parking: Limited on-site parking.

Roht Marine and Ships Store

Address: 2205 Main St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Parking: Private marina with limited parking.

Damon’s Point

Address: 299 Damons Point Rd, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Parking: Limited public on-site parking, with priority given to those with mooring permit stickers.

Driftway Conservation Park

Address: Conservation Park, Driftway, Scituate, MA, USA

Parking: On site parking.

Size: 450 acres

The Spit

Parking: There is no public parking close to The Spit. Most people access it by boat.

Marshfield Town Landing

1176 Ferry St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

This boat ramp provides access to the South River for both paddlers and motor boats. It is owned by the Town of Marshfield. Across the South River is Humarock, part of the town of Scituate. Tide Math: High tide at the Marshfield Town Landing is about 30 minutes after the Boston high tide.

Norwell Town Landing

67 Bridge St, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

The Union Street Bridge spans the North River from Union Street in Marshfield to Bridge Street in Norwell. On the Norwell side, there is a Town Landing with a ramp for boats (residents only). This is also the starting line for the NSRWA’s annual Great River Race. On the Marshfield side, there is a launch […]

Union Street Bridge

67 Bridge St, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

The Union Street Bridge spans the North River from Union Street in Marshfield to Bridge Street in Norwell. On the Marshfield side, there is a launch for canoes and kayaks. On the Norwell side, there is a Town Landing with a ramp for boats (residents only). This is also the starting line for the NSRWA’s annual […]

Marshfield Launch and Brooks-Tilden Shipyard

1361 Union St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

The Town of Marshfield owns this 15-acre conservation parcel, which is located directly on the North River, just upstream of the Union Street Bridge. It is a public canoe/kayak launch with a single picnic table. Tide Math: High tide at the Marshfield Launch is about 60-90 minutes after the Boston high tide. The property is […]

Bulman Marine at King’s Landing

80 King's Landing, Norwell, MA 02061, USA

Private marina with supplies, canoe and kayak rentals, boat storage, and a launching ramp for canoes, kayaks and small boats. Tide Math: High tide at Bulman Marine is about 1 hour after the Boston high tide. Set off from here to go clamming. (See the North River Shellfishing Map for locations.) The clam flats in both […]

Roht Marine and Ships Store

2205 Main St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Combined marina locations on both sides of the bridge offer numerous amenities. These include gas, bait, tackle, supplies, boat rentals, a shoreside pump-out facility, and a restaurant. Enjoy fried clams on the deck while watching the boat traffic! There is a launch ramp suitable for canoes, kayaks, and motor boats. Tide Math: High tide at […]

Damon’s Point

299 Damons Point Rd, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

A Marshfield Town Pier is located here, adjacent to the abandoned railroad trestle, offering a fine scenic vista. On the western side, there is a small launch for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Use extreme caution if paddling through, and past, Damon’s Point toward the Spit, because of dangerous currents. Tide Math: High tide at Damon’s […]

Driftway Conservation Park

Conservation Park, Driftway, Scituate, MA, USA

This 450-acre Scituate Conservation property features a panoramic view of the Herring River and its salt marshes. The Town of Scituate purchased the land from the Boston Sand and Gravel Company. In the 1930s, Boston Sand and Gravel mined for the property for projects such as the construction of Logan International Airport. You can still see […]

The Spit

42.164899, -70.718598

Located at the mouth of the North and South Rivers, this popular summertime beach is also known as Sandy. Low tide provides more real estate on which to park your chair or blanket. The Spit is accessible by boat, or on foot via a trail/boardwalk from Third Cliff. The wide, flat, sandy terrain of The Spit […]