Dungeness crab is a popular seafood delicacy harvested along the west coast of North America. In California, Dungeness crab season is a highly anticipated event for both recreational and commercial fishermen. The timing and length of the season is closely regulated to ensure sustainable harvesting of this precious resource. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Dungeness crab season in California.
An Overview of Dungeness Crab
Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a species of crab that inhabits eelgrass beds and sandy bottoms along the Pacific coastline from Alaska to California. Named after Dungeness Spit on the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington state, it’s the most economically valuable crab species harvested in California.
Dungeness crab have a broad, oval-shaped carapace (shell) that can grow up to 10 inches wide in mature males. They have five pairs of legs for walking and swimming, as well as a pair of claws for catching prey and defense Their coloration ranges from purplish-brown to reddish-orange Dungeness crab are omnivores and opportunistic feeders, consuming small fish, crustaceans, worms, clams and other mollusks.
The sweet, succulent meat of Dungeness crab is highly prized. The crab’s body is divided into sections called clusters, which contain lumps of delicious white meat. Dungeness crab is commonly prepared by simply steaming or boiling. The claws and legs also contain smaller amounts of meat.
Dungeness Crab Season in California
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) carefully regulates the recreational and commercial Dungeness crab fishery to ensure it remains sustainable. The season opens at different times across California to match the crab’s lifecycle and migration patterns.
In central California between the Mendocino/Sonoma county line and the Mexican border, the 2021-2022 season opened on December 1st However, the northern region from the Mendocino/Humboldt county line to the California/Oregon border opened on December 16th.
The season typically runs until June 30th, but can close earlier if CDFW determines the quota has been met. For the 2021-2022 season, a limited late-season reopening occurred in certain ports south of the Mendocino/Sonoma county line.
Recreational crabbers are limited to 10 Dungeness crab per day, with a minimum size limit of 53⁄4 inches. Crabs must be measured by the shortest distance through the body, immediately in front of the spikes.
Commercial crabbers are held to stricter standards, with permits, monthly catch reporting, and specialized gear requirements There are also complex regulations around commercial crabbing in coastal estuaries and bays
Checking for Crab Season Openings
The opening of crab season varies slightly each year depending on crab population assessments. Here are some tips for checking the status of the crab season in your area:
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Check the CDFW ocean fishing regulations booklet for season opening and closing dates by region. This booklet is updated annually.
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Call the CDFW crab hotline at (831) 649-2801 for a pre-recorded message about current crab seasons.
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Check the CDFW ocean fishing web page for the latest crab season updates.
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Contact your nearest CDFW office for local crab season information.
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Look for signs posted at public fishing piers announcing crab season openings or closures.
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Talk to knowledgeable bait and tackle shops in fishing communities.
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Search for announcements of crab season openings from harbormasters.
Staying on top of the latest information will help ensure you abide by all regulations and have the best chance of harvesting crab during open seasons.
How to Catch Dungeness Crab
Recreational crab fishing requires some specialized equipment and techniques. Here are a few tips:
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Use a crab trap or hoop net attached to a buoy line, with bait placed inside. Crabs attracted to the bait will crawl in and get trapped.
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For pier or shore fishing, use a crab snare on the end of a long pole to scoop up crabs from rocks or pilings.
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Attach baited crab snares to your fishing line when bottom fishing to passively catch crabs.
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The best bait is fresh fish like anchovies, sardines, mackerel, or squid. Poultry, beef or lamb may also work.
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Drop your traps or snares in areas with rocky or sandy bottoms 10-60 feet deep.
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Leave traps down for at least 45 minutes before hauling up. Shake traps gently when pulling up to keep crabs inside.
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Use a crab measuring device to check size, and release any undersized or female crabs.
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Cook your crabs as soon as possible, or place in a cooler. Discard any dead crabs.
With the right approach and timing, you can harvest delicious Dungeness crab to enjoy during crab season. Just be sure to follow all regulations and handle crab humanely.
Crab Season Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Dungeness crab season in California:
When does crab season typically open?
- Northern region: Mid to late December
- Central region: Early December
- Southern region: Mid-November
How long does crab season last?
The season generally lasts until June 30th, but can close earlier if the quota is met.
What is the minimum size limit for kept crab?
53⁄4 inches, measured by the shortest distance through the body immediately front of the points.
How many crab can I take recreationally?
10 Dungeness crab per day north of the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line. South of that point, the limit is 5 per day.
Can I recreationally crab in bays and estuaries?
Recreational crabbing is only allowed in coastal waters outside of enclosed bays and estuaries.
When should I check my crab traps?
Allow at least 45 minutes before pulling up traps and snares to give crabs time to enter.
What bait works best?
Fresh fish like anchovies, sardines and mackerel make excellent crab bait. Poultry, beef and lamb may also work.
Where should I look for crabs?
Focus on rocky areas, reefs, pilings, jetties, and sandy or mudflats in waters 10-60 feet deep.
By following crab season dates and using proper harvesting techniques, you can enjoy tasty Dungeness crab during your California fishing trips. Just be sure to put sustainability first by obeying all size and catch limits.
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.