California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Home Marine Region What We Do Invertebrate Management Project Invertebrates of Interest: Bivalves

Invertebrates of Interest: Bivalves

Legal-sized Pismo clam. CDFW photo by Derek Stein.

Legal-sized Pismo clam. CDFW photo by Derek Stein.

California's coastal waters are home to a multitude of invertebrates (species lacking a bony skeleton). A small fraction of these, including bivalves such as clams and mussels, are actually targeted by California's recreational and commercial fisheries. In the following links, visitors can learn more about bivalve species identification, biology, habitat, geographic range, fishing methods, and more.