Winter crabbing season opens Oct. 1 in several Puget Sound marine areas

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today that several Puget Sound marine areas will reopen for recreational crab fishing beginning Oct. 1.

“The winter crab fisheries opening in some marine areas were based on Catch Record Card (CRC) harvest information from the summer season as well as expected harvest during the winter season,” said Don Velasquez, WDFW crustacean biologist. “Early catch reports also indicate a productive summer fishery in many marine areas.”

Waters reopening to sport crabbing Oct. 1 include:

• Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay, east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line)
• Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
• Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait)
• Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands)
• Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay)
• Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner)
• Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet)
• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) portion north of Ayock Point only 

In each area, crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31. The Department reminds sport crabbers that setting or pulling traps from a vessel is only allowed from one hour before official sunrise through one hour after official sunset.

Crabbing will not immediately reopen for winter in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) due to limited share remaining following the summer recreational fishery. Fishery managers will re-evaluate the harvest estimates from Marine Areas 10 and 11 after the CRC reporting period closes and all data is entered to determine if enough quota remains to allow a winter fishery.

The portion of Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) south of Ayock Point and Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) will remain closed for the winter season due to the ongoing conservation closure of all crab harvest.

The daily limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crabs, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches. Crabbers may also keep six red rock crabs of either sex per day with a minimum carapace width of 5 inches, and six Tanner crabs of either sex with a minimum carapace of 4 1/2 inches.

All recreational crabbers 15 years or older must carry a current Washington fishing license. Options range from an annual shellfish/seaweed license to combination fishing licenses, valid for a single day or up to a year.

You must have a Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement to harvest Dungeness crab from Puget Sound. All Dungeness crab caught in the late-season recreational fishery must be recorded immediately on winter catch record cards, which are valid through Dec. 31. Winter catch record cards are free to those with crab endorsements and are available at license vendors across the state. Winter catch reports are due to WDFW by Feb.1, 2025.

Crabbers can still report summer CRCs until Oct. 1 by submitting online or by mail. By reporting their catch, crabbers can help ensure more accurate harvest estimates and informs future crabbing seasons. Refer to the WDFW website for more information about CRCs.

Crabbers can test their skills at identifying different types of crab in Puget Sound and their understanding of regulations and best practices by taking the crabber knowledge quiz. Visit the WDFW recreational crabbing seasons and areas page to learn more.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.