Alaska is synonymous with crab fishing The dangerous, challenging, and lucrative crab fisheries like king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab put Alaska on the map and became legendary due to the hit show Deadliest Catch However, many don’t realize that Alaska’s various crab fisheries actually operate on different seasons throughout the year. So when exactly is crab season in Alaska? Here’s a guide to the seasons for Alaska’s major crab fisheries.
King Crab Season
The iconic red king crab is likely what comes to mind when you think of Alaska crab fishing. Massive steel cages called pots are lowered hundreds of feet to the sea floor with bait inside to lure in these beasts of the Bering Sea. Alaska’s king crab fisheries operate on the following seasons:
- Bristol Bay Red King Crab – November 1 to November 15
- Norton Sound Red King Crab – September 1 to September 15
- Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab – August 15 to May 15
- Aleutian Islands Blue King Crab – October 15 to May 31
So the red king crab season is very short, essentially just the first half of November in Bristol Bay. Meanwhile the blue king crab in the Aleutians can be fished over the winter months into the spring
The short seasons, remote fishing grounds, and rough weather make king crab a challenging and dangerous fishery But they can also be quite lucrative, with experienced captains and crews able to haul in millions in just a few weeks. It’s why you’ll often see king crab featured on Deadliest Catch.
Snow Crab Season
Snow crab, also known as opilio crab, are smaller and populate the cold waters of the Bering Sea in massive numbers. But don’t let their size fool you – they can still pack a painful pinch with their claws!
The snow crab fishery opens in mid-October and runs through mid-May. So while the red king crab season is short and intense, snow crab offers a longer winter fishery for crab boats. Snow crab vessels are also larger than the king crab boats, able to hold up to 250,000 pounds of crab in massive tanks below deck. When they find a hot spot, today’s snow crab boats can haul in a full load amazingly fast.
Dungeness Crab Season
Dungeness crab are found along Alaska’s southern coastline and are beloved for their sweet, delicious meat. Many small family operations target Dungeness, with seasons that open earlier than the king and snow crab fisheries:
- Kodiak Dungeness – May 1 to December 31
- Aleutian Islands Dungeness – October 15 to May 15
- Southeast Alaska Dungeness – October 1 to February 28
So there is a winter Dungeness crab fishery with pots being hauled from docks or smaller vessels, versus the huge boats that venture offshore for king and snow crab. Dungeness is often caught, cooked, and served locally in Alaska coastal towns when in season.
When to Enjoy Alaska’s Famous Crab
If you’re visiting Alaska and want to enjoy some fresh caught crab, the timing depends on what type you want to savor:
- King Crab – Mid November through December
- Snow Crab – November through April
- Dungeness – October through February
The peak of crab season is fall through winter when supplies are plentiful and prices lower. Summertime sees less availability and higher prices for remaining stored crab from the winter season.
No matter when you visit Alaska and what crab is in season, it’s worth enjoying this iconic seafood delicacy! Just don’t be surprised if you hear frequent talk of Deadliest Catch with crab being such a legendary part of Alaska’s culture and economy. The hard work and sacrifices of the captains, crews, and families during the intense crab seasons is a point of pride and solidarity for Alaska’s fishing towns.
Challenges Facing Alaska’s Crab Fisheries
While Alaska crab is an iconic and lucrative fishery today, it does face challenges to sustainability moving forward. Both climate change and overfishing in the past have impacted crab populations:
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Red king crab stock declined up to 90% in the 1980s before strict management capped harvests. The fishery was closed in 2022 and 2023 before reopening on a limited basis for 2024.
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Snow crab also saw population crashes in the Bering Sea, with the fishery closed in 2022 and 2023 before limited quota for 2024.
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Warming ocean temperatures have compressed habitats, disrupted food sources, and increased stresses on reproduction.
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Lack of large recruitment events for young crab joining the reproductive population hampers rebuilding efforts.
So strict quotas, season closures, and ending overfishing have helped stabilize Alaska’s crab fisheries. But environmental and ecosystem impacts from climate change and warming oceans present
Alaska Snow Crab in the Eastern Bering Sea
Our research in Alaska on the growth, reproduction, diet, distribution, and juvenile habitat of Alaska snow crab provides information crucial for understanding and managing this species.
This is a draft Technical Memo that includes preliminary results from the 2024 eastern Bering Sea…
This is a draft Technical Memo that includes preliminary results from the 2023 eastern Bering Sea…
This is a draft Technical Memo that includes preliminary results from the 2022 eastern Bering Sea…
In-depth profiles of the 196 Alaska communities most involved in Alaskan and North Pacific…
Nutrition Facts Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g (raw); Calories: 90; Protein: 18.5 g; Total Fat: 18 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.143 g ; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Selenium: 34.6 mcg; Sodium: 539 mg
Looking for some ways to add crab into your rotation? If you need some cooking inspiration, browse these recipes for crab-stuffed acorn squash, crab and shrimp risotto, and more!
NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the distribution and abundance of Alaska snow crab. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species.
For detailed information about stock status, management, assessments, and resource trends, you can search for Alaska snow crab, and any other species of interest, using NOAAs StockSMART web tool.
Scientists explain why billions of Alaska snow crabs have disappeared
FAQ
What months is crab season in Alaska?
The most popular crab-fishing time occurs between October and January.
Why is crab season shut down in Alaska?
For two years in a row, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game canceled the snow crab season in the Bering Sea after biologists discovered an estimated 10 billion crabs had mysteriously disappeared — a 90% plunge in the population.
Why is king crab so expensive in Alaska?
Alaskan king crab is expensive due to a combination of factors including limited availability, dangerous and difficult harvesting conditions, and high demand.
What month is king crab the cheapest?
If you’re looking to get the best price on king crab, consider these tips: Buy During Peak Season: The best time to buy king crab is during the peak harvesting months of October and November. Prices tend to be slightly lower as fresh crab floods the market, and you’re likely to find special deals at seafood markets.
What is the reason for the Alaska crab season being canceled?
For the first time in history, Alaska has canceled its famous snow crab, aka “opies,” fishing season after one billion crustaceans have gone missing from the Bering Sea, causing the population to drop by 90 percent. The cancellation was confirmed on Monday.
When is the Alaska crab season?
Crab season starts in October and runs through January. The alaska king crab season can be as long as 4 weeks or as short as 4 days. Crab fishing season is usually open from mid-November to early January in other parts of Alaska.
What is the future of the snow crab industry in Alaska?
The collapse of snow crab will have major effects in Alaska and for crew members who often live in Washington and Oregon. A fleet of about 60 vessels harvested snow crab in 2020, grossing about $132 million, according to an economic report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and the Alaska Fisheries Information Network.