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What are the best months to eat mussels?

Author

Zoe Patterson

Updated on March 26, 2026

What are the best months to eat mussels?

Common lore states that we should only be eating shellfish, especially oysters, in months with the letter “R.” So we can help ourselves to all the oysters, mussels, and clams we can eat from September through April, but put the brakes on come May.

Where can I find mussels in Washington?

Mussels are very common to find along open areas of Puget Sound especially in areas around Whidbey Island at Penn Cove, Oak Harbor and Saratoga Pass. Look for mussels attached to rocks, pilings on piers and docks or buoy lines.

Are Prince Edward Island mussels good?

The ocean climate and tidal patterns in this area are conducive to raising mussels, and in the past several years, Prince Edward Island has become one of the primary providers of fresh mussels in North America. mussels is that they are consistently good.

Are PEI mussels safe to eat?

A Healthy Serving of Facts PEI Mussels are a ‘power food’. Not only are they a healthy choice for you and your family, but they are also harvested with a concern for the environment. PEI Mussels have more iron and vitamin B12 than beef. PEI Mussels are an excellent source of iron, a factor in red blood cell formation.

Are mussels in season right now?

Mussels. The recreational season for California sea mussel(opens in new tab) (Mytilus californianus) and bay mussel (Mytilus trossulus) remains open year-round. The annual quarantine is usually in effect from May through October, and applies only to sport-harvested mussels intended for human consumption.

Are mussels in season now?

When are mussels in season? Peak season for fresh mussels is October to March. You can buy mussels in their shells year round.

How do you clam in Washington?

(You’ll know you’ve hit one if you feel a CRUNCH!) Vigorously twist the gun back and forth, pressing down deep with all your weight. Plug the hole on the gun with a finger, lift, and drop a tube of sand onto the beach—then search through it for your clam. But be quick; razor clams dig fast!

Where are wild mussels found?

Pacific shore
Their shells are the color of midnight and deep water, but wild California mussels (Mytilus californiensis) are found at the Pacific shore, in rocky intertidal areas of the open coast.

Are Prince Edward Island mussels large?

Prince Edward Island is the smallest, greenest providence in Canada and produces our smallest mussel. The PEI mussel can only be grown to 2.5 inches and if it gets any larger than that it will not open.

Are PEI Mussels freshwater or saltwater?

The PEI Mussels you find in your grocery store or get served in restaurants are officially called ‘Mytilus edulis’. This species of mussels grows all along the Atlantic coastline from the Virginia coastline to the Arctic. These salt water mussels are bivalves just like oysters, clams, and scallops.

Are mussels bad if they float?

A partly opened mussel may be dead. To test, squeeze the mussel shut; if it stays shut, the mussel is good; if not, discard it. If any mussels float, they are dead or empty. Be careful: mussels will die in tap water if left for longer than 15 minutes.

Are PEI Mussels large?