PERMITS

To access clam flats from the Refuge, you must have on your person a valid Refuge Use Permit for shellfishing. To qualify for and maintain the validity of a Refuge permit, you must possess a valid commercial or recreational clamming license from the Towns of Newbury, Rowley, or Ipswich. Refuge permits must be applied for in-person and are available year-round from Refuge Headquarters during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm, federal holidays excluded) and from the Refuge entrance gatehouse, located on Sunset Drive, when staffed. Please bring your vehicle registration and Town shellfishing license when applying for a Refuge permit. Refuge permits are valid through December 31 of the year of issuance, are not transferable, and are at all times subject to discretionary revocation by the Refuge Manager. Permittees must abide by all Refuge, Town, and State shellfishing regulations.

USER FEES

Refuge shellfishing permits are issued free of charge. Recreational shellfishing permit holders are subject to a daily Refuge entrance fee of $5/vehicle, $2/walk-on or bicycle at the Plum Island section of the Refuge. Commercial shellfishing permit holders are allowed free access for clamming purposes only, three hours before - three hours after low tides. Anyone 16 years of age or older who accompanies a commercial shellfishing permit holder and does not also possess a valid Refuge commercial shellfishing permit, is subject to the entrance fee. Annual Refuge entrance passes are available.

ACCESS

Use is limited to the normal hours of Refuge operation, sunrise to sunset. The Plum Island portion of the Refuge is closed whenever vehicle parking capacity is reached. At these times both recreational and commercial permit holders are allowed access for clamming purposes only, three hours before - three hours after low tides. In the fall, all clammer access via the Plum Island portion of the Refuge is prohibited during the annual Refuge deer hunt (it is advisable to wear hunter orange whenever clamming during deer and waterfowl hunting seasons). To reduce conflict with waterfowl hunters, only commercial shellfishing permit holders are allowed access through Nelson Island to the Nelson Island flats Monday - Saturday, generally from early September - early February. Access to Refuge shellfishing areas may also be prohibited due to other factors including Town flats closure for public health concerns. It is the responsibility of the clammer to know the status of the flats. This information is not available from Refuge personnel but from the respective town halls, shellfish constables or by phoning 978-356-6671. Access from the Refuge to all flats is from designated parking areas and by foot only. From lot 6 clammers must leave the dike at the base of the hill only and return via the same route. Access from Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area (lot 4) is permitted only from November 1 - March 31 and clammers must walk due west of the Hellcat observation tower and return via the same route. Only commercial shellfishing permittees are allowed vehicle access onto Nelson Island.

PARKING:

Parking for shellfishing is permitted in designated lots only and is on a first come-first served basis. These lots are as follows: Refuge Subheadquarters/maintenance area (Newbury), Nelson Island and Hellcat/lot 4 (Rowley), lot 6 and three reserved clamming lots (Ipswich). Commercial shellfishing permit holders may also park at Nelson Island. All permittee vehicles must display a valid Refuge decal (issued with the Refuge permit) on the driver's side, lower corner of the windshield.