Crabbing is a popular recreational activity in Washington. With over 1.5 million pounds of Dungeness crab caught by recreational crabbers each year, it’s no wonder people want to know when crab season is open. While crabbing is allowed year-round in some areas, regulations vary by location and type of gear used. This article provides a comprehensive guide to crabbing seasons for different areas of Washington.
Puget Sound Crab Season
The Puget Sound crab season runs from early summer through early fall. However, exact dates aren’t set until managers complete pre-season test fishing and quota setting in late spring Season dates typically open in early July and run through September
In Puget Sound crabbing is open 4 days per week closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For summer 2023, the projected season is
- July 1 – September 2: Open Thursdays through Mondays
- July 18 – September 30: Open Thursdays through Mondays (Area 7 South – San Juans/Bellingham)
- August 15 – September 30: Open Thursdays through Mondays (Area 7 North – Gulf of Georgia)
Recreational crabbers in Puget Sound must purchase a crab endorsement and record their Dungeness crab catch on a catch record card Catch cards must be returned by the deadline, even if no crabs were caught Crabbers can report online or by mailing in cards.
Coastal Crab Season
The coastal crab season runs later in the year than Puget Sound. On the ocean coast (Marine Areas 1-3), the crab pot season opens December 1st and closes September 15th. In Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, the pot season opens mid-November to September 15.
Crab fishing is open year-round on the Washington coast for gear types other than pots, such as ring nets, snares, and foldable traps. However, pot gear is prohibited for a portion of fall to protect soft-shell crabs. Pot closure dates are:
- Marine Areas 1-3: Closed September 16 – November 30
- Willapa Bay: Closed September 16 – November 14
- Grays Harbor: Closed September 16 – November 30
No catch record cards are required for the coastal crab fishery.
Columbia River Crab Season
On the Columbia River, crabbing is open year-round for all gear types. The minimum size limit is 5 3⁄4 inches for male Dungeness crab. The daily limit is 12 crab per person. No catch record cards are required on the Columbia River.
What Type of License Do I Need?
All crabbers age 15 and older must have a current Washington fishing license. Options range from a combination license to a shellfish/seaweed specific license. In Puget Sound, an additional crab endorsement is required for the Dungeness crab fishery. Make sure to check the WDFW website for details on license requirements before heading out.
Crabbing Regulations and Limits
- Minimum size: 6 1⁄4 inches for male Dungeness crab in Puget Sound; 6 inches on the coast.
- Daily limit: 5 crab in Puget Sound, 6 on coast and Columbia River.
- Only male Dungeness crab may be retained. Females must be released.
- All soft shell crabs must be released.
- Crabbers may also retain 6 red rock crab and 6 tanner crab per day.
- Gear restrictions apply, including escape cord requirements on pots.
See the WDFW sportfishing regulations for a full list of crabbing rules.
Tips for Responsible Crabbing
- Avoid placing pots in high traffic areas like ferry lanes or marina entrances.
- Check your pots frequently and remove them when not in use.
- Record and report your Dungeness crab catch in Puget Sound.
- Handle crabs carefully and release them quickly. Their shells are fragile.
- Keep only male crabs of legal size and release females and sublegal males.
- When in doubt, let it out! Release any crab you are unsure about keeping.
Follow crabbing regulations carefully and help ensure the sustainability of the fishery for generations to come. With this guide to crabbing seasons and rules, you’ll be ready to enjoy a day on the water reeling in tasty Dungeness crab!
Dungeness, Red Rock, and Tanner Crab Daily Limits and Rules:
Every day, five Dungeness crabs can be caught in Puget Sound. They must be at least 6¼ inches long, male, and in hardshell condition.
Every day, six Tanner Crabs can be caught in Puget Sound. They must be at least 4½ inches long, of either sex, and in hardshell condition. Measure at the widest portion of the shell.
The daily limit for Dungeness Crab in the Columbia River is 12 crabs that are at least 5¾ inches long, male, and in good hardshell condition.
The daily limit for Dungeness Crab in the Pacific Ocean is six, and they must be at least 6 inches long, male, and in hardshell condition.
All Areas have a daily limit of 6 Red Rock Crab, 5″ minimum size, of either sex.
Before you go fishing, you can look at more crab gear rules on Statewide Gear Rules, call the Shellfish Rule Change toll-free Hotline at (866) 880-5431, or go to https://wdfw.org. wa. gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/crab for season openings, closures, and restrictions. See also closures on Marine Preserves, Conservation Areas, and Shellfish Protection Zones.
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Area |
Species |
Season / Opening Days And Times / Additional Rules |
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Puget Sound |
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Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7 South, 7 North, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11 and 12 (North of Ayock Point) Marine Areas 7 North and 7 South (See map for 7 North and 7 South ) |
Dungeness, Red Rock, and Tanner Crab |
For seasons go to: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/crab or refer to the toll-free shellfish rule change hotline (866) 880-5431. The dates for the season will be available in late May or early June to accommodate co-management obligations and complete preseason test fishing and quota setting. All Dungeness crab kept must be immediately recorded on a catch record card in ink (see Catch Records & Codes). |
|
Marine Areas 12 (south of Ayock Point), and 13 |
Dungeness, Red Rock, and Tanner Crab |
Closed to crab harvest in 2023. |
|
Columbia River |
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East of a line from exposed end of north and south jetty upstream to a line between Tongue Point and Rocky Point |
Dungeness and Red Rock Crab |
Open year-round to all gear. Crab fishers may fish for crab in Oregon waters under Oregon rules and land into Washington ports of the Columbia River. A resident license from either state is required. |
|
Pacific Ocean |
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Grays Harbor, and Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) |
Dungeness and Red Rock Crab |
Open December 1 to September 15 for Pot Gear. Open year-round to other gear. |
|
Willapa Bay |
Dungeness and Red Rock Crab |
November 15 to September 15 for Pot Gear. Open year-round to other gear. |
Dungeness Crab, June 2023, Washington State
FAQ
Is crab season open in Washington state?
Is there a crab season in WA?
Is Dungeness crab in season now?
What months are good for crabs?
When is the next Washington crab season?
Crabbing season for Birch Bay is in the late summer. Usually the season begins in August and runs through September and is one of the last crabbing areas in the state to open. Where is the best crabbing in Puget Sound? Top 5 Puget Sound Washington Crabbing Locations Can you go crabbing at any time of year?
When was the Washington crabbing season supposed to start?
Get your crab crackers, plastic bib, and butter ready because the summer crab season begins on Thursday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Puget Sound summer crab-fishing season, which will get underway July 1 in most marine areas. Find a list of crab season openings here.
How will the cancellation of the Washington crabbing season affect crabbers?
Washington’s North Pacific crabbers are sitting idle this year, because, for the first time ever, the U.S. snow crab season has been canceled. The North Pacific snow and red king crab seasons are canceled this year, devastating small businesses and crabbers in Alaska and Washington state.
What are the best areas for crabbing in Washington?
Recreational crabbing is allowed off the coast of Washington – often year-round– and in Puget Sound, where the fishery is open during specific summer and winter months. Table of Contentsshow