Dungeness crab is a prized delicacy for seafood lovers across the United States. With its sweet succulent meat and rich flavor Dungeness crab is considered by many to be the finest crab available. But finding high-quality, fresh live Dungeness crab can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look.
In this article, I’ll share some of the best places to buy live Dungeness crab so you can enjoy this Pacific Northwest specialty at its absolute best. Whether you want to prepare a Dungeness crab feast at home or are searching for a reputable supplier for your restaurant, this guide has got you covered
Buying Directly from Fishermen or Local Suppliers
One of the best ways to source fresh Dungeness crab is to buy directly from the source – the fishermen who catch them or local suppliers who work closely with fishermen. Many crab fishermen sell a portion of their catch directly to the public through community supported fishery (CSF) programs, off-the-boat sales, farmer’s markets, or online stores.
The benefit of buying directly from fishermen is complete traceability and transparency. You’ll know exactly when and where your crab was caught allowing you to get Dungeness crab at its freshest and peak season. Local suppliers who work closely with fishermen can also provide this provenance while offering more convenience and more consistent availability.
Some reputable direct-from-fishermen suppliers to check out include:
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Pacific Dream Seafoods – This supplier based in Washington sources live and cooked Dungeness crab directly from Pacific Northwest fishermen. They are the largest live Dungeness provider in the U.S.
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Lummi Island Wild – A fishermen’s cooperative in Washington State selling fresh seafood including live and cooked Dungeness crab.
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Tides & Tides Seafood – A California community supported fishery selling fresh catches including Dungeness crab.
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FreshCatch.com – An online community supported fishery delivering ultra-fresh seafood across the U.S.
Buying directly from the source is a great option for getting high-quality live Dungeness crab. Just keep in mind that availability can fluctuate based on the crab fishing season.
Ordering Live Crab Online
Ordering live Dungeness crab online is a convenient way to get fresh crab shipped directly to your home or business. Online seafood suppliers source live crab from West Coast fishermen and package them for safe overnight delivery across the contiguous United States.
Here are some of the top online sources for ordering live Dungeness crab:
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Seattle Fish Company – A renowned nationwide supplier of live seafood including Dungeness crab. They source from Pacific Northwest fishermen.
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Lobster Anywhere – Provides live Dungeness crab overnight nationwide. They also sell other premium seafood like lobster and oysters.
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FultonFishMarket.com – This New York based company ships live Dungeness crab to most states.
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CapeSeafood.com – A supplier based in Massachusetts offering overnight shipping of live Dungeness crab.
The benefit of ordering live Dungeness crab online is the convenience of delivery to your door. Keep in mind that overnight shipping can be pricey and there are restrictions on which states live crab can be shipped to. Make sure to order from suppliers who use proven packing methods to ensure healthy crab arrival.
Buying from Local Seafood Markets
Local high-end seafood markets and fish mongers are another solid option for sourcing live Dungeness crab. Many reputable seafood markets have in-house experts who hand-select the freshest Dungeness crab from regional suppliers.
The benefit of buying from local seafood markets is you can inspect the crab quality in person before purchasing. And a knowledgeable fishmonger can give you cooking tips and recipe ideas to make the most of your Dungeness crab.
Some top local seafood markets to check for live Dungeness include:
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Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle is famous for its excellent Dungeness crab sourced right from Pacific Northwest waters.
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New England Lobster Company has retail locations in Boston, Newport, and Nantucket. They stock fresh live Dungeness in season.
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D’Artagnan is a luxury specialty food provider with stores in major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. They supply top restaurants and also sell retail.
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Local high-end grocery store chains like Whole Foods Market, Gelson’s, and Wegmans may carry live or cooked Dungeness crab in stores with large seafood departments.
Buying from a hands-on local fish market is a time-tested method for getting excellent crab. The downside is that availability can depend on what each individual market has in stock.
Dungeness Crab Fisheries by Region
Since Dungeness crab is local to the Pacific Coast, it helps to know the fisheries and peak seasons by region when sourcing crab. Here is a quick guide:
California – Dungeness season runs November to June, with peak supply November to January. Buy from fishermen in ports like Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Bodega Bay.
Oregon – Prime season is December to August, with abundance in winter months. Source from fishermen in Newport, Charleston, Brookings.
Washington – The longest season from October to September, peaking November to January. Seattle and Puget Sound are major hub ports.
Alaska – Short summer season from June/July through September focused around Kodiak Island and Southeast region.
Canada – Dungeness fisheries located in British Columbia with peak season from May to August.
Knowing the regional seasons helps you determine when you can get the freshest local crab.West Coast fishermen and suppliers will be able to provide the most abundant, high-quality Dungeness crab in the winter months when they are in peak season.
Do’s and Don’ts of Buying Live Crab
To pick the best quality Dungeness crab and ensure delicious results, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind when buying:
Do:
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Look for crab with a uniform orange-red shell color. Discoloration can indicate lower quality.
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Choose crab that feel heavy for their size and have all legs and claws intact.
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Make sure crab are alive and active when buying live. They should move their legs or claws when handled.
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Allow 1-2 pounds per person for a robust serving size. Stock up for a crab feast!
Don’t:
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Buy crab with cracked shells or missing limbs which compromises quality.
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Purchase dead crab which have mushy bodies or give off foul odors.
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Go for discolored or barnacle-encrusted crab which are lower grade.
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Forget to keep live Dungeness crab cold – below 40°F for transit.
Following these guidelines will ensure you get the best crab for your money and have an amazing Dungeness crab experience!
Get Crabbing!
The sweet meat and unbeatable flavor of Dungeness is a true Pacific Northwest treasure. Now that you know where to buy it fresh, you can enjoy this regional specialty wherever you are. Don’t wait – get crabbing and order your live Dungeness today!
Go Directly to the Seafood Source
Good fishermen lead to good seafood—period. We cultivate relationships with the best in the Pacific so we can provide stores, restaurants, and connoisseurs alike with the best in fresh seafood.
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Our founder, Jerod, started fishing at age 14, and began this business with his own catches. Since we’ve expanded, we’ve taken that sea-level understanding to build a model that works for everyone from the fisherman to the buyers.
Exclusive Look: The Live Dungeness Crab Shipping Process Revealed – Global Seafoods Fish Market
FAQ
How much is a live Dungeness crab?
In most cases, these crabs cost around $50 for a 1.5 or 2-pound crab. If you opt to buy 5 crabs instead of 3, you’ll save 20 percent. Keep in mind that Dungeness crab have a high meat yield. This means you’ll get more meat for your money.
When can I buy Dungeness crab?
The Dungeness crab season generally opens mid-November (early November for recreational fishing) and runs until July with the catch significantly slowing down …
How much is 2 lbs of Dungeness crab?
$35.98 per Crab – (17.99 per lb.) Whole cooked Dungeness crab is a succulent seafood delicacy known for its sweet, tender meat and rich flavor.
Why is there a shortage of dungeness crabs?
The Dungeness crab fishery has suffered from regular delays and early closures as regulators work to balance the needs of commercial fishers with the entanglement risks crabbing gear poses to migratory humpback whales. Last season, California regulators pushed back the season start from November 2023 to January 2024.