Seafood Calendar

Your guide to the freshest fish, shellfish and seafood in the United States and when each one is in season.


March 2025: What’s in Season

hard shell clams

Hard clams, also known as quahogs, have a thick, strong shell and are commonly found along the East Coast of North America. They are popular in cooking, especially for chowders and clams casino.

FUN FACT: Hard clams can live up to 40 years or more! Some of the oldest have been found to be over 100 years old.

soft shell clams

Often called steamers, these clams have a thinner, more delicate shell compared to hard clams. They are known for their sweet, tender meat and are great for steaming and dipping in butter.

FUN FACT: Soft clams are known for their ability to "dig" into the sand using their foot, which can be up to 8 inches long!


FLUKE

Also known as summer flounder, Fluke is a flatfish found along the Atlantic Coast of North America. It has a distinct flattened body with both eyes on one side, which helps it blend into the sandy ocean floor. Fluke are prized for their mild, delicate flavor and firm texture.

FUN FACT: Fluke are capable of changing the color of their skin to match their environment, helping them camouflage perfectly on the ocean floor to avoid predators.

monkfish

This wild caught, saltwater fish has a mildly sweet taste and a firm, dense texture.

FUN FACT: They have been a staple of European cooking for a long time, but lately popular in other parts of the world.

mussels

Commonly found in both saltwater and freshwater environments, mussels have a smooth, oblong shell that can range in color from black to blue or green. Mussels are often cultivated in beds and are a popular seafood choice for dishes like mussels in garlic butter or steamed mussels with white wine.

FUN FACT: Mussels can "stick" to surfaces using byssal threads, which are strong, silk-like fibers that they secrete, allowing them to stay anchored to rocks or piers even in strong currents!


oysters

Oysters are bivalve mollusks that live in both saltwater and brackish environments. Oysters are famous for their rich, briny flavor, and they are often enjoyed raw, on the half shell, or cooked in various dishes.

FUN FACT: Oysters can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, helping to improve water quality in their environment by removing plankton, algae, and other particles!

Rainbow Trout

This freshwater fish is farm raised, and has a fine flaked and delicate texture with a very mild flavor.

FUN FACT: They always try to return to the same part of the river where they were hatched. Trout is part of the Salmon family.


Sea & Bay Scallops

Scallops are wild caught in saltwater and have a firm and velvety texture with a sweet and rich flavor, that can range from mild to briny.

FUN FACT: Since their abductor muscle is not used to filter water, they’re less susceptible to toxins or contaminants.

sea urchin

These spiny, spherical marine creatures have hard, globular shells called "tests," which are covered in sharp spines for protection. Sea urchins are known for their delicate, sweet, and briny roe, often considered a delicacy, especially in sushi dishes.

FUN FACT: Sea urchins have five "teeth" arranged in a circular pattern inside their mouths, known as Aristotle's lantern, which they use to scrape algae off rocks and crush food!

shad

Shad are migratory fish found in rivers along the East Coast of North America, often known for their distinct, silvery appearance. They have a rich history in fisheries, especially for their roe, which is considered a delicacy.

FUN FACT: Shad are known for their incredible migration journey, traveling from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Some shad travel hundreds of miles during their spawning season!


SKATE

This wild caught, saltwater fish has a firm flesh and a high collagen content which gives it a unique texture when cooked. Skate fish have a mildly pronounced flavor, similar to scallops.

FUN FACT: They are shaped like a kite and although colors vary, most Skate are a brownish-gray color. Skates are larger than Rays and have longer, more pointed snouts.

snapper

Snapper is a wild caught, saltwater, lean fish with a firm texture and medium flakes.

It has a distinctive mild, lean, sweet, nutty flavor which makes it versatile for many flavor components from mild to intense seasoning.

FUN FACT: Despite their typical association to Florida, this species can be found from Massachusetts to Brazil.


stone crab claws

Stone crabs are found in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They are known for their large, meaty claws, which are prized for their sweet, tender meat. Unlike most crabs, only the claws are harvested; the crab is released back into the wild to regenerate new claws. This sustainable harvesting method helps maintain their population.

FUN FACT: Stone crabs can regenerate their claws after they’re harvested, which means they can grow back even larger claws in subsequent seasons!

TILE FISH

Tilefish are vibrant, deep-water fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, known for their firm, white flesh and mild, sweet flavor. They are often found in rocky, sandy ocean floors, where they burrow and create dens. Tilefish are popular in seafood dishes like fish tacos, grilled fillets, and chowders.

FUN FACT: Tilefish are sometimes called "the lobster of the Gulf" because of their sweet, lobster-like taste, and they are known for living in "homes" they create on the ocean floor!

YELLOWTAIL

Yellowtail is a popular name for various species of fish, most notably the Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata). Found in warm waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, yellowtail is known for its firm, flaky texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It's a favorite in sushi, sashimi, and grilled dishes.

FUN FACT: Yellowtail fish are known for their strong swimming ability and can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour!