Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
A-Z-Animals
Washington Crabbing Season: Timing, Bag Limits, and Other Important Rules
By Sandy Porter,
22 hours ago
Many regions in Washington state have year-long crabbing seasons. But whether you’re crabbing in these spots or those with limited seasons, it’s best to know the regulations like bag limits and size requirements. If you’re interested in trying your hand at Washington crabbing season, the following information will help.
Washington Crabbing Season Timing
The Dungeness crab is one of the three species permitted for crabbing in Washington crabbing season. You’ll find these tasty critters in many locations along the shorelines of the state.
Timing for Washington crabbing season varies a bit, based on the region, with some year-round and others limited to specific seasons. Some areas usually have crabbing seasons available, but be sure to note some closures until further notice provided by the state .
Crabbing Area
Status
Days Open
Season Dates
South Coast/Pacific Ocean
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Columbia River
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Westport/Ocean Shores
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Willapa Bay – Area 2-1
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Grays Harbor – Area 2-2
Open
Everyday
Year-round
LaPush
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Neah Bay – East of Tatoosh-Bonilla line
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Neah Bay – West of Tatoosh-Bonilla line
Open
Everyday
Year-round
Sekiu and Pillar Point
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles Harbor, Discovery Bay
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
South – San Juan Islands/Bellingham
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
North – Gulf of Georgia
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Deception Pass – Area 8-1
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Port Susan/Everett – Area 8-2
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Admiralty Inlet
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Port Gamble/Port Ludlow
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
Seattle/Bremerton
Closed
None
No winter season currently scheduled.
Tacoma-Vashon Island
Closed
None
No winter season currently scheduled.
Hood Canal – North of Ayock Point
Open
Everyday
Winter season: Daily from October 1 to December 31.
There are three species of crabs you may catch and keep in Washington. These are the Dungeness, red rock, and tanner crabs.
Washington Crabbing Season Bag Limits
Three species of crabs may be caught in Washington, each with specific daily bag limits.
Dungeness Crabs
While they prefer shallower water, Dungeness Crabs have been found at depths of two hundred meters. You may catch these crabs in Washington but they must be at least 6.25 inches to keep.
Dungeness crabs must be at least 6.25 inches to keep. You may bag up to 5 males, retaining shells in the field. Must release all females and undersized crabs, as well as softshell males.
Red Rock Crabs
Red rock crabs, male or female, must be 5 inches or bigger to keep when you go crabbing in Washington.
Red Rock crabs exceeding 5 inches, whether male or female, may be bagged daily. You may keep no more than 6 of these crabs each day and must retain the shell in the field. You must release softshell crabs.
Tanner Crabs
Tanner crabs must be at least 4.5 inches in size before keeping them when crabbing in Washington.
You may catch up to 6 male or female tanner crabs daily. They must be at least 4.5 inches and must retain their shells in the field. All softshell crabs must be released.
Where in Washington Can You Go Crabbing?
The following areas are open for Washington crabbing season. Check the season notes for when you may go crabbing at each location.
South Coast/Pacific Ocean
Columbia River
Westport/Ocean Shores
Willapa Bay Area 2—1
Grays Harbor Area 2—2
LaPush
Neah Bay East of Tatoosh-Bonilla line
Neah Bay West of Tatoosh-Bonilla line
Sekiu and Pillar Point
East Juan de Fuca Strait
Port Angeles Harbor
Discovery Bay
South San Juan Islands/Bellingham
North Gulf of Georgia
Deception Pass Area 8—1
Port Susan/Everett Area 8—2
Admiralty Inlet
Port Gamble/Port Ludlow
Seattle/Bremerton
Tacoma—Vashon Island
Hood Canal North of Ayock Point
How to Catch Crabs
Most folks use crab traps for Washington crabbing season, but a dip net is easier for beginners.
Crab traps are most frequently used by crabbers each summer. However, many others opt to catch crabs with a simple dip net (many say this is the easiest method), or even using a fishing rod.
Dip nets are what they sound like: you use them in your hand and dip them into the water to snatch up a crab. If you plan to use a fishing line or crab trap, use smelly bait. Afterall, crabs are scavengers, so they like raw chicken, turkey, fish, and razor clams. Some folks even use human foods like hot dogs to catch these creepers of the deep.
Washington Crabbing Season Regulations and Licenses
Before you hit the water with Washington crabbing in mind, head over first to the licensing offices. You’ll need proper fishing licensure , whether you’re a local or visitor to the state.
Anyone 15 and older much have a fishing license when crabbing.
No license is required for common carp, bullfrogs, crawfish, or collecting relic shells.
You must keep and carry a catch record when fishing. All catch records must be recorded on the cards and returned to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife by deadlines listed. Even if you catch nothing, the record must be submitted on time.
It may take up to 10 days to receive your license if purchased online or by phone. A temporary license may be mailed for use during the period if you register an email address with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
If you need a license for immediate use, go to a local license dealer for immediate use.
You must adhere to the proper seasons for the species you catch and the daily catch limits for each.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0