Oyster "Catch"

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: South River

This is my first successful catch of oysters this week, 3/22. I came away with 8 oysters between 4"-6" long.

My wife helped me paddle and keep the canoe steady, while on the South River. I used a pair of hand tongs with 10' handles that I fashioned myself. The tong heads came from craigslist a few years ago.

This is the 4th time out this year, but the first time being successful. I must have paddled over 10 miles at various locations, trying to find an oyster bar. I must have spent about 20 minutes tonging oysters and shells alike. Just in that time, I was soaked and my arms were wore out. All well worth it.

Sadly, I was surprised how scarce wild oysters actually were.

DNR note: The recreational harvest of oysters in Maryland does not require a license or permit, but you must be a resident of the State. A Maryland resident may take up to 100 oysters per day but the harvested oysters are only for personal, noncommercial use and cannot be sold. All of the oysters must all meet the minimum size requirement of 3" as measured from hinge to bill. The oysters must be culled on the bar where they were caught and all undersized oysters and shell material must be returned to the bar. The oyster season runs from October 1 through March 31. Recreational harvest may occur Monday through Saturday: Sunrise to 12:00 p.m (noon). A person may catch oysters recreationally only by hand, rake, shaft tong, or diving with or without scuba equipment. For more info go to: dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/rec_oysters.aspx