When is Crab Season in Oregon? Your Guide to Catching Dungeness Crab

Oregon’s coastline provides the perfect environment for Dungeness crab. These delicious crustaceans thrive in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Pacific Ocean and populate the bays and estuaries that line the state’s rugged 400+ miles of coastline For seafood lovers and recreational crabbers, the annual Dungeness crab season is one of the most exciting times of the year But when exactly is crab season in Oregon?

The answer isn’t always straightforward. Unlike some other fisheries that have set seasons each year, the opening of commercial and recreational Dungeness crab season in Oregon is determined by the crabs themselves State fishery managers carefully monitor crab populations each fall to determine when they will have adequate meat fill and be safe for human consumption before making the call to open the season.

Why Does Oregon Crab Season Vary?

Several factors determine the right time for crab season each year:

• Meat fill – Male crabs must have filled out to meet a minimum meat recovery threshold, which ensures quality. This can vary annually.

• Shell condition – New shell growth hardens over time. If opened too early, soft-shelled crabs have poor meat quality.

• Toxin monitoring – Domoic acid and paralytic shellfish toxin levels must be safe. High levels can cause illness if consumed

• Coordination with WA and CA – Consistent regulations benefit the fishery. OR, WA, and CA managers coordinate openings.

By evaluating these crab condition factors in the fall, fishery managers make the call on an opening date and length to provide maximum sustainably-harvested crab while protecting the resource.

When to Expect Recreational Crab Season

While commercial and recreational crab seasons often open simultaneously along most of the coast, recreational crabbers can generally expect the season to open sometime in December and extend through August or September the following year.

However, the northernmost areas of Oregon’s coast near the Columbia River mouth often open later, as early winter storms and freshwater influences can delay safe harvest up there. The seasons are broken down by region:

South Coast – From the OR/CA border to Cape Arago. Opens December 1 most years.

Central Coast – From Cape Arago to Cascade Head. Opens December 1 most years.

North Coast – From Cascade Head to the Columbia River. Opens from December to February depending on testing results each year.

Columbia River – North Jetty to Puget Island. Opens January or February most years.

Recreational Dungeness crab seasons stay open until August or September each year, giving plenty of time to drop traps and enjoy fresh crab!

Checking for Crab Season Updates

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife provides weekly updates each fall on crab condition testing results and decisions on recreational and commercial crab season openings.

I always bookmark the ODFW crab season update page starting in early November to stay on top of the latest announcements. ODFW also puts out press releases when major opener decisions are made.

For the latest recreational crabbing opportunities along the coast, I check the ODFW Recreation Report. This gives a great overview of current conditions and rules.

Signing up for email and text alerts through ODFW is another easy way to get crab season opening announcements sent directly to your inbox.

Licenses and Rules for Recreational Crabbing

Recreational crabbing is a fun family activity that puts tasty Dungeness crab on the dinner table. A few key rules and license requirements for recreational crabbers in Oregon:

• Adults age 12 or older need a shellfish license. These cost around $10 annually.

• There is no limit on the number of crab you can catch per day.

• Only males with a minimum 6.25 inch carapace (shell) width may be kept. Females and undersized males must be released unharmed.

• Gear is limited to 3 ring nets or 3 crab traps per person when crabbing from a dock or shore. When crabbing from a boat, each licensed angler can use 1 ring net or up to 6 crab traps.

Following the rules helps ensure there are crab for future generations to enjoy. And properly recording and tagging pots prevents loss of gear.

Prime Spots for Catching Oregon Dungeness Crab

The diversity of Oregon’s coastline offers many excellent places to drop a crab trap or ring net, including:

• Bays and estuaries – Crabs congregate in estuaries like Coos Bay and Yaquina Bay where freshwater meets the sea. Productive crabbing from docks and boats.

• Jetties and piers – Platforms like the South Jetty in Newport and Charleston Pier provide easy access. Crabs congregate around rocky structures.

• Beaches and tide pools – Low tides expose crabs in shallows. Look for sandy beaches bordered by rocky reefs.

• Offshore – Experienced crabbers can find abundant keeper Dungeness crabs in deeper waters offshore.

Check regulations for any seasonal or area closures before heading out. Avoid placing gear in busy navigation channels marked by buoys.

Top Tips for Catching Dungeness Crab in Oregon

Through many seasons of both recreational and commercial crabbing, I’ve picked up some tips for putting more legal “keepers” in the pot:

• Time it with the tides – Set gear on a flooding high tide and retrieve on the ebbing tide for the most active crabs.

• Bring fresh bait – Crab love bait like raw chicken, fish carcasses, or razor clams. Change bait frequently.

• Match gear to conditions – For big ocean swells, use heavy traps. Keep it simple from docks with ring nets.

• Set traps carefully – Avoid laying gear on soft bottom where crabs can burrow under.

• Know your seasons – Follow opener updates closely. Time the peak of the season in spring and early summer when crab are plentiful.

• Measure for males – Return any females and sublegal males carefully. Keep only clean hard-shelled legal males.

• Cook crab promptly – Steam, boil, or grill crab the same day for best flavor. Enjoy Oregon Dungeness crab at its finest!

The return of crab season each winter is an exciting tradition for seafood lovers in Oregon. By following the rules, choosing the right locations, and mastering some basic crabbing skills, you can fill your pot with these sought-after crustaceans. Just be sure to check the latest season info before heading out. Wishing you a crab-tastic season on Oregon’s coast this year!