Crabs are a delicious summertime treat that many seafood lovers look forward to. But with different types of crabs having varied peak seasons depending on location, it can be tricky to know exactly when is the best time to catch your own crabs or when to look for the freshest ones at the market. This guide breaks down the prime crab seasons by region and type to help you take advantage of these tasty crustaceans at their finest.
Chesapeake Blue Crab Season
The Chesapeake Bay along the mid-Atlantic is famous for its blue crabs. In this region, blue crab season typically runs from early spring through late fall.
The peak months for blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay are July through September. During these summer months crabs are actively growing to their largest size before populations decline in fall and winter. Focus your crab feasts in the summer months to get the biggest blue crabs with the most meat.
Popular crabbing spots like Maryland and Virginia see the prime season last from April through November before crabs burrow in the sediment to stay warm over winter
Gulf Coast Blue Crab Seasons
Along the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, blue crab season lasts nearly year-round thanks to the mild winters. The peak months however are March through November.
Spring and fall are best for blue crab hauls off Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas. April through June offer bountiful springtime crabs as temperatures rise. September through November is prime fall crab season before numbers dip in the winter months.
Dungeness Crab Season on the West Coast
Further west, Dungeness crab is the star player when it comes to crab seasons. These large, tasty crabs thrive in the cold Pacific waters off California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
In California, Oregon and Washington, commercial Dungeness crab season typically runs from December through June. November through January offer the best fresh Dungeness crab before numbers decline after winter. Check regulations for exact recreational and commercial season opening dates.
Even farther north in Alaska, king crab reigns supreme. The famous red king crab is sustainably harvested from October through January when they are most plentiful
Seasons for Other Popular Crabs
While blue, Dungeness and king are among the most popular picks, keep an eye out for these other crab varieties in season:
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Snow crab – Found in northern Pacific and Atlantic waters, best from January through June when they move to shallower waters.
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Stone crab – Harvested off Florida from October to May solely for their meaty, regenerating claws.
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Jonah crab – A smaller East Coast crab with a taste similar to Dungeness, available fall through spring.
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Soft shell crabs – A regional springtime delicacy on the East and Gulf coasts as crabs shed their outer shell to grow, generally May through September.
Tips for the Best Crab Season
To make the most of whichever crab is in season in your area, keep these tips in mind:
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Check regulations – Know the exact fishing seasons, size limits and bag limits.
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Go out early – Crabbing is best at dawn and dusk when crabs are most active.
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Prepare your gear – Stock up on bait, pots, nets and other equipment ahead of season.
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Cook it fresh – For the sweetest taste, cook freshly caught crab the same day.
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Try crab alternatives – When not in peak season, opt for frozen king or snow crab.
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Get creative – Boils, bakes, rolls, cakes – there are endless ways to cook crab!
With this guide to crab season timing, you can fully enjoy regional crab specialties at their freshest. Just follow the seasons to know exactly when to start preparing your crab crackers, seasoning and recipes to make the most of these delectable crustaceans.
Tips for setting crab traps and not losing your gear
Crab fishing seasons and regulations and Dungeness crab reporting requirements may vary by area. Click the link below for the marine area you plan to harvest from and youll find details on daily limits, minimum size, etc. Note that Puget Sound recreational crab season details are typically announced each June (for summer season) and September (for winter season)–so be sure to check back here for details.
Learn more about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound and on the Washington Coast, including tips, catch reporting requirements, and more in the sections below.
The Puget Sound recreational crab management area includes Washington marine areas 5 through 13 (including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, and Hood Canal) and marine area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The Dungeness crab catch record card is required for this area.
Puget Sound area crab fishers must return their catch record cards or report online even if they did not go crabbing or catch any crab. The deadline for returning summer and winter catch cards is printed on each catch card. If crabbers fail to return their catch card they will be required to pay a $10 fine before they can purchase another crab endorsement .
Before you go crabbing
Make sure you have the proper license (and if youre crabbing in the Puget Sound area the Dungeness crab catch record card), and learn more about each of the types of crab you can catch and keep in Washington waters:
All other crab species are closed to harvest. See the Washington sportfishing rules for more information. Refer to WDFWs Crabs of Washington one-pager (PDF) for tips on identifying native and invasive crab species.
For information on invasive European green crabs, and what to do if you encounter one, visit wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab.
Crabbers must release all soft-shelled crabs and all Dungeness crab females to support population health. Learn how to identify soft-shelled crabs.
Crab may be harvested using pots, by hand, or with a dipnet. Hand-operated instruments may not penetrate the shell. Additional rules for pot use apply. Recreational crabbers should review the detailed statewide gear rules available online and in the sport fishing rules pamphlet under Shellfishing Rules.
Crabbers are required to mark all unattended crab gear with a half-red, half-white buoy with the owner’s first and last name and permanent address (phone number is voluntary). Buoys must be constructed of durable material. It is unlawful to use bleach, antifreeze, or detergent bottles, paint cans, or any other container in place of a buoy.
All crab, shrimp, and crawfish pots must be equipped with a biodegradable device (rot/escape cord) which must be affixed to the pot; see sport fishing rules for additional details.
Learn how to avoid losing your crab gear in this video series from Northwest Straits Foundation.
Or learn more about the derelict fishing gear removal project.
Commercial Dungeness crab season delayed. Here’s why and when it might start
FAQ
What are the best months to eat crab?
The primary season for all crab species is October to January when they are often at their largest and populations are highest after spawning. Some regions even stretch crabbing season into July. The Absolute.
What month is best for crabbing?
In many areas, the best time to go crabbing is from late spring through early fall. However, the specific timing can vary depending on where you are.Apr 26, 2023
What is the Maryland blue crab season?
In Maryland, the recreational blue crab season runs from April 1 to December 15. Detailed regulations are set by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In Virginia, recreational crabbers can catch crabs all year long using some methods. Crab pots, trotlines, and other gear are limited to certain times.
What month is crab the cheapest?
When is the best time to buy king crab? The best time to buy king crab is during its peak season, from October to January, when prices are typically lower due to increased availability. However, frozen king crab is also a great option year-round.
When is crabbing season?
Some regions even stretch crabbing season into July. It depends on the area and specific type of crab to know when the season is and when crabs will be their freshest. Some of the largest crab-producing states, like Alaska and Maine, start crab season in the fall, around October, and end it as temperatures start climbing in early spring.
Which states have crabbing seasons?
Some Southern states, such as Florida and South Carolina, have a year-round crab season. Some states have crabbing seasons during warmer months instead of winter, when crabs are more dormant and inactive. Maryland, for example, has a crabbing season that starts in April and ends in November.
When does crab season start & end?
It depends on the area and specific type of crab to know when the season is and when crabs will be their freshest. Some of the largest crab-producing states, like Alaska and Maine, start crab season in the fall, around October, and end it as temperatures start climbing in early spring. When are blue crabs in season?
When is crab season in the Gulf?
Peak season in the Gulf is March through November, with April-June being prime spring months. Gulf states like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida can have year-round open crab seasons thanks to their warm waters. But quantities are highest in spring and summer. When is Crab Season on the West Coast? On the West Coast Dungeness crab is king.
When is the best time to go crabbing?
The best season to go crabbing is during the summer or fall, when waters have warmed and crabs have matured. During the winter, the water becomes very cold and the crabs end up burrowing. Once you pick a day, the goal is to head out to your crabbing destination while the tide is starting to come in, so therefore the best tide is high tide.
When is snow crab season?
Its season is in October and November. You’ll find these frozen and ready to heat. Their sweet meat tastes like lobster meat. Snow crab: Also found in cold waters, these large crabs are from the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. The season runs from late fall to early summer. They are sold cooked and frozen.