Crab season in Oregon brings excitement for many residents and visitors who look forward to harvesting these delicious crustaceans right off the coast. The timing of the crab season is closely monitored by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to ensure the health and sustainability of crab populations. Here’s a comprehensive guide on when and where you can go crabbing in Oregon.
Overview of Oregon Crab Seasons
Oregon is home to several species of crabs, each with its own harvest season set by ODFW:
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Dungeness crab – The most popular type. The ocean season runs December 1 to August 14, but you can crab year-round in bays. Minimum size is 5 3/4 inches across the shell.
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Red rock crab – Found in jetties and rocky shores. Open year-round with no size restriction.
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European green crab – An invasive species with no size limit. You can keep up to 35 per day.
Within these seasons temporary closures may happen if toxin levels get too high. ODFW carefully monitors bay and ocean waters and will announce closures when needed. Be sure to call the shellfish hotline or check online before heading out.
Dungeness Crab Season
Dungeness is the highlight of crab season for most Oregonians. Here are key points on when and where you can crab for these large, tasty crustaceans:
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Ocean – The ocean Dungeness season runs from December 1 to August 14. No crab pots are allowed in the ocean from November 1 to 30.
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Bays – Dungeness crab can be harvested year-round in most Oregon bays estuaries and beaches. Prime seasons are early spring and late fall.
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Summer – Ocean crabbing slows down in summer as crabs molt and move into deeper waters. Focus on bays during summer.
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Fall – Some of the best ocean crabbing happens in fall before the seasonal closure on October 16,
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Winter – Winter storms make ocean crabbing more challenging. Bay crabbing can still be productive.
Red Rock Crab Season
Red rock crab is a smaller native species found in Oregon’s bays and estuaries year-round. They congregate around jetties, docks and rocky structures. There is no seasonal closure or size limit for red rock crab. They can add variety to your catch during the Dungeness off-season.
Tips for a Successful Oregon Crab Season
Follow these tips for harvesting crabs during open seasons:
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Check regulations – Make sure the area is open and you understand all size, sex and catch limits.
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Look up tides – Crabs are most active during slack tides when currents are minimal.
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Use fresh bait – Chicken, fish, clams work well. Crabs can smell bait from far away.
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Set pots carefully – Make sure lines don’t get tangled and buoys are well-marked.
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Cover your catch – Transport crabs on ice, not in water. Don’t let them die before cooking.
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Consider a guide – First-time crabbers may want to hire a guide for a successful maiden voyage.
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Report violations – Call the OSP Turn in Poachers hotline if you see anyone violating crabbing regulations.
With proper preparation and timing, you can have an incredible crab feast courtesy of Oregon’s productive coastal waters. Just be sure to check regulations, watch the weather, and respect sustainability limits. Enjoy Oregon’s fabulous Dungeness, red rock and green crab seasons!
When to Buy Dungeness Crab in Oregon
If you’re planning a holiday feast, you’ll want to watch for the commercial opening date. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife posts weekly updates that will keep you informed. The commercial season can begin as early as December 1, but based on several factors it might not open until later that month or even January. The season can last into the summer, but the peak harvest generally tapers off around April.
Exactly when crabs will appear in markets and stores can fluctuate from year to year because the season depends on the crab’s development and its habitat. Dungeness crabs, like all crustaceans, must molt to create larger shells that they can then grow into from the inside out. Crabbers need to wait for the meat to “fill out” to a certain percentage for the commercial market. Domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin created by algae, can also work its way into shellfish and delay the start of the season. Whale migrations and winter storms can also push it back or disrupt it.
Regardless of when the season opens, you needn’t worry about purchasing commercially caught crabs once they hit the market. Pre-season testing ensures it’s safe. “Regulators want to make sure that the product is safe and high quality,” says Kristen Penner, a former commercial crabber who is now the regional food systems value chain coordinator for the Oregon Ocean Cluster, a local seafood project of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.
Purchasing and Preparing Dungeness Crab
Penner says as much as 80% of the entire season’s harvest can happen in the first few months of commercial crabbing. With such an abundant supply, market prices are generally lowest early in the season and climb as it continues and supply wanes, so stock up early for the best deals.
The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission offers tips and instructions on how to clean and prepare live Dungeness properly. It’s also easy to buy ready-to-eat cooked crab meat in containers, and many places that sell crab can do the work for you. Clusters — which are sections of whole, cooked crab cleaned and split in half with the large shell of the body removed — are also a popular choice.
Dungeness crab: Oregon’s most lucrative fishery | Pacific Northwest food | Superabundant S2 E1
FAQ
What are the best months to crab in Oregon?
The best months for crabbing in Oregon and Washington are months ending in “R” at least that is what everyone says. Actually the crabbing or crab fishing begins to get good in late July or early august and lasts until Feb. or so depending upon how much rain we get.
Is crab season open in Oregon?
What months are dungeness crabs in season?
Understanding the Dungeness Crabbing Season
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon): The season usually starts in December and lasts through June. California: Crabbing begins earlier, typically around November, and can extend into late spring depending on conditions.
Is Dungeness crab season open now?
Dungeness crab season typically runs from December to April.
What time does crab season close in Oregon?
The commercial bay crab season closes at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31. What will you do for that special person in you life on Valentines Day? Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon (Oswald State Park) to the California border, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
When is crabbing season?
Commercial crabbing season usually kicks off in December for a festive holiday treat. With more than 400 commercial boats working the waters from Astoria to Brookings, there’s no better time to visit a seafood market for the freshest and heaviest Dungeness crab.
When is the best time for crabbing in Oregon?
Full disclosure. What is the Best Month for Crabbing in Oregon? September to December is the ideal time for recreational crabbing on the Oregon Coast when crabs have filled out after their summer molting period. Winter weather, however, will likely be cold and wet at the coast so early to late fall is probably the best time for most people.
When is Dungeness crab harvesting in Oregon?
Oregon is set to open the Northern half of the state to commercial Dungeness crab harvesting on January 15 after a new round of testing showed crabs were meeting optimal commercial harvest criteria. Initially slated to open on December 1, Oregon officials opted to delay the season due to low meat levels in preseason testing.
Can you catch crab on the Oregon Coast?
The Oregon Coast is a popular destination, with many visitors trying their hand at catching shellfish of all sorts, including crab. While usually open year-round, the sport had closures in 2017 that prevented locals and visitors from being able to catch the flavorful Dungeness and lesser-sought red rock crabs.
Is Dungeness crab season delayed in Oregon?
Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season is delayed across the Oregon Coast until at least Dec. 16, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. The state agency said testing shows Dungeness crabs are “too low in meat yield in some ocean areas and have elevated domoic acid in two areas on the south coast.”