Stone crab season in Florida is a cherished annual tradition for seafood lovers During this limited window from October to May, the sweet, briny claws of the Florida stone crab take center stage on menus and tables across the state.
So when exactly is stone crab season in the Sunshine State? What makes these crustaceans so special? Where can you enjoy fresh stone crab claws? This guide will cover everything you need to know about savoring this sustainable, seasonal delicacy
The Official Dates of Florida’s Stone Crab Season
The harvest and sale of stone crab claws is carefully regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to ensure a healthy and sustainable stone crab population.
By law, the stone crab season in Florida runs from October 15 to May 15 each year. During this time, licensed commercial fishermen are permitted to collect the claws using baited traps. It is illegal to harvest whole stone crabs – only the regenerative claws may be taken.
This limited season allows the stone crab population time to recover and breed during the summer months when they are most vulnerable.
Stone crab traps may be placed in the water up to 10 days prior to the October 15 opening, but claws cannot be harvested until the season officially begins. Once the season closes on May 15, all traps must be removed from the water.
What Makes Stone Crabs So Special?
So what’s all the fuss over stone crabs? Here are some key facts about these coveted claws:
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Sweet, briny flavor – The meat has a mildly sweet taste and firm texture. Many compare it to lobster or shrimp.
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Sustainability – Taking only the regenerative claws allows the crabs to regrow them and live on. This makes stone crab a sustainable seafood.
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Large size – Claws can grow quite large, up to a whopping 7 inches! The bigger the claw, the more meat it contains.
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Limited availability – Since they are only harvested seasonally in Florida, their brief availability adds to the allure.
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Regenerative ability – Harvested claws regenerate in about 18 months, allowing the crab to be re-harvested in future seasons.
Where to Enjoy Fresh Stone Crab Claws in Florida
The claws can be enjoyed at restaurants, ordered for delivery, or purchased fresh from local fish markets during season. Here are some top spots stone crab lovers flock to:
South Florida/Miami Area
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Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami Beach) – The original 1913 restaurant that started it all. A legendary destination.
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Rusty Pelican (Key Biscayne) – Sit on the water and enjoy claws with leche de tigre sauce.
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Michael’s Genuine (Miami Design District) – Trap-to-table claws delivered fresh daily.
Florida Keys
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Key Largo Fisheries – Crack your own claws dockside or take some home.
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The Fish House (Key Largo) – Longtime local favorite for stone crab dishes.
Southwest Florida Coast
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Naples Stone Crab Festival – Huge community festival in late October with discounted claws.
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Clearwater Beach Seafood Festival – Marks the start of stone crab season in Clearwater in October.
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Opal Key Resort & Marina (Clearwater) – Latitudes restaurant serves stone crab claws fresh from local waters.
Statewide Delivery
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Goldbelly – Next day delivery of Joe’s Stone Crab claws nationwide.
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Keys Fisheries – Ships fresh claws overnight from the Keys.
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Captain’s Stone Crab – Online retailer shipping claws and seafood nationwide.
So no matter where you are in Florida during stone crab season, you can get your hands on these meaty claws either at restaurants or delivered fresh to your door. Just be sure to order them chilled and cracked!
How to Prepare and Eat Stone Crab Claws
Preparing stone crab for eating is simple:
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Cooking – Boil, steam or grill the claws for 5-10 minutes until the meat becomes opaque. Don’t overcook.
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Cooling – Shock in ice water to stop cooking. Chill claws completely before serving.
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Cracking – Use a mallet to crack the shell in segments. Try not to shatter the meat.
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Serving – Arrange chilled cracked claws on ice with ramekins of mustard sauce or other dipping sauces.
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Eating – Use a small fork or pick to pull the meat from the segments of shell.
Take your time when cracking and extracting the meat from the shells. The experience of eating stone crab is half the fun!
Why Stone Crab is Worth the Hype
With its short harvest season, incredible flavor, and interesting backstory, it’s easy to see why stone crab is so beloved in Florida. If you find yourself in the state between October and May, be sure to take part in this delicious seasonal tradition.
Trying this unique seafood delicacy straight from local waters is an experience not to be missed. Just follow this guide on when the season occurs, where to find claws, and how to crack and savor them, and you’ll be a stone crab aficionado in no time!
Stone Crabs Are Incredibly Strong
A stone crab may be small, but its crusher claw – the one they use to break open the shells of mollusks, oysters, clams, and other prey for eating – can exert up to 19,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. To put that in perspective: That’s nearly four times the crushing force of a crocodile’s jaws. This impressive strength is part of what makes stone crab claws so meaty and delicious.
Stone Crab Season Starts Soon! So what’s all the fuss about? Find out during a Florida stay. Our always-on Opal Moment offer ensures you’re always seeing the best value of the moment at our hotels and resorts in the stone crab hotbeds of Clearwater, Naples, and Key West.
Caught using baited traps, stone crabs are legal to harvest in Florida from October 15 through May 1, which is why you’ll only see the sweet meat starring local seafood menus during this specific window of the year. Outside of these months, the fishery closes to protect the species during their breeding season. This ensures a stable population for future stone crab harvest seasons.
When Is Stone Crab Season? – Beach Tour Guide
FAQ
What month is best for stone crabs?
Beloved for its delicate and sweet meat, these crustaceans dominate menus – and the local fishing industry – during stone crab season in Florida every October through May. Here’s why they are so sought after – plus, the best destinations to get your claws on, well, these delicious claws.
How much is 1 lb of stone crab claws?
The Large stone crab claws are $47 per pound.
What is the stone crab capital of the world?
Everglades City, Florida, is known as the “Stone Crab Capital of the World”. It’s a small fishing town where much of the stone crab harvest takes place, making it a key location for enjoying this delicacy.
Why are stone crabs so expensive?
Stone crab claws are expensive due to a combination of limited availability, strict harvesting regulations, and high demand. The unique harvesting process, which involves only removing the claws and returning the crab to the water, contributes to their scarcity.
When is stone crab season in Florida?
“Stone crab season in Florida is ON!!!!! According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stone crab season starts on October 15 and ends on May 2 of the following year. Meaning from now on we still have some months to have these sustainable stone crabs from Fresh Florida Fisheries!!
When does stone crab harvest season start & end?
The stone crab harvest season starts on Oct. 15 and remains open through May 1, closing May 2, 2022. The minimum claw size limit is 2 7 / 8 inches. A reminder: all plastic and wood stone crab traps will need to be outfitted with a 2 3 / 16 -inch escape ring before the 2023/2024 season.
When can you eat Stone Crabs in Florida?
Fishermen in Florida have been harvesting stone crabs since the 1890s. However, the body isn’t the part that’s usually eaten; it’s the claws that they’re famous for. Considered a delicacy, the state had to impose strict regulations and a specific timeframe on when they can be harvested: October 15 through May 15.