Crabbing is one of Washington's most popular recreational fisheries. Each year, recreational crabbers catch more than 1.5 million pounds of Dungeness crab using pots, ring nets, and — in the case of wade and dive fishers — their bare hands.
Licensing
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.
In addition, all recreational crabbers regardless of age who fish for crab in the Puget Sound crab management area must purchase a Puget Sound crab endorsement on their license and obtain a Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card to account for all Dungeness crab they catch. Catch must be reported after the season, regardless of whether any crab were caught/retained. Catch reporting is not required for red rock crab or for recreational crabbing in the coastal management area.
Seasons
Recreational crabbing in Puget Sound features two seasons: summer (July and August) and winter (when quota is available by area, generally October through December). Recreational crabbing is closed all other months.
Specific Puget Sound recreational crab season details (including opening dates) are typically announced each June (for summer season) and September (for winter season)--so be sure to check back here for details.
Details are provided in the Rules by Marine Area tab below.
Before you go crabbing
Make sure you have the proper license (and if you're 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 WDFW's 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 gear rules
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.
Tips for setting crab traps and not losing your gear
Recreational crab rules by marine area
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 you'll 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.
| Marine Area | Crab area | Status | Days open | Season dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Coast/Pacific Ocean | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Dec. 1 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 1 | Columbia River | OPEN | Everyday | Year-round |
| 2 | Westport/Ocean Shores | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Dec. 1 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 2 | Willapa Bay - Area 2-1 | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Nov. 15 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 2 | Grays Harbor - Area 2-2 | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Dec. 1 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 3 | LaPush | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Dec. 1 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 4 | Neah Bay - East of Tatoosh-Bonilla line | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 4 | Neah Bay - West of Tatoosh-Bonilla line | OPEN | Everyday | Crab pots: Open Dec. 1 through Sept. 15 Crab gear other than pots: Open year-round |
| 5 | Sekiu and Pillar Point | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 6 | East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles Harbor, Discovery Bay | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 7 | South - San Juan Islands/Bellingham | CLOSED | None | Open July 17 through Sept. 29 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 7 | North - Gulf of Georgia | CLOSED | None | Will open sometime in mid-August. The exact opening date will be announced later once crab shell condition sampling is completed. |
| 8-1 | Deception Pass - Area 8-1 | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 8-2 | Port Susan/Everett - Area 8-2 | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 9 | Admiralty Inlet | CLOSED | None | The portion of Marine Area 9 EXCLUDING waters north of the Hood Canal bridge to a line connecting Olele Point and Foulweather Bluff. Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 9 | Port Gamble/Port Ludlow | CLOSED | None | The portion of Marine Area 9 north of the Hood Canal bridge to a line connecting Olele Point and Foulweather Bluff. Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 10 | Seattle/Bremerton | CLOSED | None | Open July 6 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Sundays and Mondays only. |
| 11 | Tacoma-Vashon Island | CLOSED | None | Open July 6 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Sundays and Mondays only. |
| 12 | Hood Canal - North of Ayock Point | CLOSED | None | Open July 3 through Sept. 1 with crabbing allowed Thursdays through Mondays only. |
| 12 | Hood Canal - South of Ayock Point | CLOSED | None | Closed until further notice. |
| 13 | South Puget Sound | CLOSED | None | Closed until further notice. |
Learn more about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound and on the Washington Coast, including tips, catch reporting requirements, and more in the sections below.
Puget Sound area including Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, and Hood Canal
Puget Sound crabbers: remember to submit your Catch Record Card and to not set pots in ferry or shipping lanes. Please also avoid obstructing marina entrances or boat launches.
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.
Learn more about crabbing in Puget Sound
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 .
Puget Sound Dungeness crab reporting system now in effect:
- Two-card reporting system: All sport crabbers fishing in Puget Sound are required to report their Dungeness crab catch on separate summer and winter catch record cards at the end of each season. The new cards are separate from the multi-species card used for recording catches of salmon, halibut and other fish. People of all ages who have a crab endorsement and received a catch record card are required to make a report even if they did not go crabbing or catch any crab.
- Online reporting: Sport crabbers can either report their information through WDFW's online licensing system or mail their catch cards to the address on this page. The website address for reporting crab catches is printed on the catch record card along with reporting deadlines.
- The online reporting site will only accept catch reports during two time periods. Summer Catch Record Cards can only be entered online from the day after Labor Day through Oct. 1 of each year. Winter Catch Record Cards can only be entered online from Jan. 1 through Feb. 1 of each year. The reporting site will allow you to view your reporting history at any time.
- Failure to report penalty: If those crab fishing in the Puget Sound management area fail to report their summer or winter harvest, they will be assessed a $10 penalty with the following year's license purchase.
Puget Sound crabbers have several options for reporting their catch information. They can report online, drop the Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record cards off at a WDFW regional office, or mail them to:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
WDFW CRC Unit,
PO Box 43142,
Olympia, WA 98504-3142
Fishery managers rely on individual catch record card reports to estimate recreational harvest and to set future crabbing opportunities. By completing catch record cards, fishers play a vital role in maintaining sustainable harvest opportunities.
Take our Crabber Knowledge Quiz to test your knowledge of the Puget Sound recreational crabbing rules and provide valuable information to fisheries managers. We are conducting a study that aims to evaluate Puget Sound recreational crabbers’ knowledge of crabbing rules and regulations and to provide an educational tool for crabbers to learn current regulations and best practices. Participation should take approximately 15 minutes, is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous.
Tips for setting crab traps and not losing your gear
Coastal area including Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and Columbia River
Coastal crabbers: avoid setting pots in shipping lanes, navigational channels, and tow boat lanes, including those in Grays Harbor and off the Washington Coast. An interactive map of coastal tow lanes is available from Washington Sea Grant on this webpage.
The coastal recreational crab management area includes Washington marine areas 1-3 and marine area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. A crab catch record card is not required for this area.
Learn more about crabbing in coastal areas
Recreational crabbing is open year-round on the Washington Coast, but pot gear season closes in several areas for a portion of September, October, and November to reduce soft-shell crab mortality.
Crab snares and foldable traps are legal during this time, as are ring nets that lie completely flat on the bottom. Hoop nets or dome pots that do not lie flat are prohibited during this time.
Pot closure dates vary by area. Please see the marine area regulations below for details. Learn more and get tips for coastal crabbing in this 2023 WDFW blog post: Check your gear: here’s what’s legal during crab pot closure in coastal marine areas.
Or learn more about WDFW's Coastal Recreational Crab Unit in our August 2023 blog post.