Dungeness crab limits vary by state: California allows 10 per person, Oregon permits 12 males only, Washington’s limits range from 5-12 depending on location, and Alaska allows 12 with proper permits. You’ll need to measure your catch carefully—minimum sizes range from 5.5 inches in Alaska to 6.25 inches in Washington’s Puget Sound. Remember that female crabs are protected in most regions. The complete picture of regulations includes seasonal closures and gear restrictions you’ll want to understand.
Surf Fishing Highlights
- California allows 10 Dungeness crabs per person daily.
- Oregon permits 12 male Dungeness crabs daily with a 5.75-inch minimum size requirement.
- Washington’s limits vary by location: 5 in Puget Sound, 6 on Pacific Coast, and 12 in Columbia River.
- Alaska allows 12 male Dungeness crabs daily with a subsistence permit.
- All states enforce size minimums ranging from 5.75 to 6.5 inches across the shell width.
Dungeness Crab Limits in California: The 10 Crab Rule
Ten Dungeness crabs per person is your daily limit in California’s coastal waters, a number worth committing to memory if you’re planning to fill your cooler with these prized crustaceans.
Remember California’s magic number: 10 Dungeness crabs per person daily. Don’t exceed this limit when harvesting these coastal treasures.
This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a strictly enforced regulation designed to maintain sustainable crab populations for future seasons.
You’ll need to adhere to this limit regardless of whether you’re using traps, hoop nets, or snares to catch your dinner.
The rule applies statewide with one notable exception: crabbing is completely prohibited in San Francisco and San Pablo bays (sorry, Bay Area crabbers!).
Remember that these limits reflect the updated regulations for the 2025-26 season beginning November 1st.
Your daily possession limit matches your daily bag limit—meaning you can’t stockpile more than 10 crabs per person at any time.
Catch your limit, not your fill! Additionally, understanding the daily bag limit
is crucial for responsible crabbing practices.
Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Regulations: 12 Males Only
While California enforces a 10-crab limit, Oregon takes a slightly different approach with its Dungeness crab regulations.
In the Beaver State, you’re allowed to keep up to 12 Dungeness crabs per day—but there’s a catch (pun intended): they must all be males measuring at least 5.75 inches across the carapace.
Got a female in your trap? Back she goes! This gender-specific rule helps protect breeding populations and guarantees future harvests remain sustainable. You’ll need a recreational crabbing license before you start filling your bucket with these delicious crustaceans. Additionally, it’s important to remember to use crab traps with bait to maximize your chances of a successful catch.
Year-round crabbing is available in Oregon’s bays, estuaries, and jetties, but ocean waters will be off-limits for sport crabbers starting November 2025.
Commercial seasons typically kick off in December, though environmental factors like whale protection often cause delays.
Washington State Crab Harvest Restrictions
When you head to Washington State for your crab adventure, you’ll need to navigate a more complex set of harvesting rules than neighboring Oregon or California. The daily limits vary considerably depending on where you drop your pots.
| Location | Daily Limit | Minimum Size | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound | 5 crabs | 6¼ inches | Catch record card required |
| Pacific Coast | 6 crabs | 6 inches | Males only, hardshell |
| Columbia River | 12 crabs | 5¾ inches | No catch card needed |
| All Areas | Males only | Varies by area | Night fishing prohibited |
| Seasonal Closures | Check current | regulations | Gear must be removed |
Alaska Subsistence Crab Limits Explained
Moving from Washington’s complex regulations, let’s explore Alaska’s more generous approach to Dungeness crab harvesting. If you’re an Alaska resident with a subsistence permit, you’re allowed to catch up to 12 male Dungeness crabs daily—quite the seafood feast!
Remember, these tasty crustaceans must measure at least 5.5 inches across their shell width. The newly reopened Cook Inlet fishery (what a comeback after decades!) lets you drop one pot per person, with vessel limits capping at three pots total.
This subsistence season runs July through March, giving you plenty of time to fill your crab pot. Be mindful of closed areas—China Poot Bay and Peterson Bay are completely off-limits for shellfish.
Your permit requires detailed harvest reporting, so track where and how many crabs you catch. It’s not just good practice—it’s mandatory paperwork that helps guarantee these delicious resources remain available for future generations.
Measuring Your Catch: Size Requirements Across States
Before you proudly display your crab haul, you’ll need to guarantee each Dungeness meets the precise size requirements for your state. Rulers at the ready, folks!
Ready those measuring tools—knowing your local Dungeness size limits is the difference between a legal catch and an embarrassing release.
In Washington, it’s a geographical puzzle—6¼ inches across the shell in Puget Sound, 6 inches in Pacific waters, and 5¾ inches in Columbia River areas.
Oregon keeps it simple with a consistent 6¼-inch minimum statewide (no need for regional crab math!). Commercial fisheries in Oregon must also adhere to this same 6¼-inch requirement for harvesting male crabs.
California crabbers have the most forgiving standard at 5¾ inches across all waters, with new regulations emphasizing whale entanglement risk through adaptive trap limits.
Alaska, true to form, raises the bar with a hefty 6½-inch minimum shoulder width requirement.
The measurement technique is consistent across all states—widest part of the carapace, spines not included.
Seasonal Considerations for Crab Harvesting
Now that you’ve mastered the art of measuring your catch, timing your crabbing adventure becomes the next critical challenge. The Dungeness calendar isn’t something you’ll want to crab-walk around!
Most West Coast seasons run from November through early summer, with California’s commercial closures staggered (Zones 1-2 closing June 20, while southern zones shut down earlier in April-May 2025).
If you’re eyeing San Francisco Bay, mark your calendar for the first Saturday in November through June 30th.
Washington offers some year-round options in Puget Sound, while Oregon keeps crabbers on their toes with weekly updates based on crab weight targets.
You’ll need to hold your horses (or crabs!) seven days before official openings, as trap deployment is prohibited during this pre-season window.
Gear Restrictions and Their Impact on Personal Limits
While mastering the timing of your crab adventures is essential, understanding the gear you’re allowed to use is equally critical for staying within legal limits. You can legally harvest Dungeness crab using several methods—crab pots, ring nets, diving gear, hoop nets, or even by hand—but each comes with specific rules.
| Gear Type | Limit | Marking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Pots | 10 per person | GO ID on 5″+ buoy |
| Additional Pots | 10 with permission | Written authorization |
| Hoop Nets | Unlimited during pot restrictions | Not required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Transport Crabs Across State Lines?
Yes, you can transport Dungeness crabs across state lines, but you’ll need to navigate a sea of regulations.
You must comply with both origin and destination state wildlife laws, which typically require documentation proving legal harvest. Many states (California, Oregon, Washington) have specific tagging requirements and some restrict live specimens.
Don’t get caught in a pinch—fines for violations can be hefty! Check with each state’s fish and wildlife agency before your crabby road trip.
What Happens if I Accidentally Catch Undersized Crabs?
If you accidentally catch undersized crabs, you must release them immediately and unharmed.
Measure, check, and return—that’s the responsible crabber’s mantra! You’ll need to carefully place them back into the water, avoiding damage to their shells or limbs.
Wildlife officers regularly check catches, and keeping undersized crabs can result in hefty fines.
Those escape ports in your traps aren’t just suggestions—they’re designed to let the little guys escape before you even check your pots!
Do I Need a Special License for Crabbing?
Whether you need a special license depends on where you’re crabbing.
In Alaska and Oregon, your general fishing license covers you—no special permit needed!
British Columbia, however, requires a B.C. Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License specifically for your crabbing adventures.
California also just needs your general fishing license.
Can I Freeze Crabs for Later Consumption?
Yes, you can freeze crabs! Did you know that properly frozen Dungeness crab maintains quality for up to 3 months?
It’s a great way to stretch your catch. Always cook your crabs first, remove gills and guts, then cool quickly before packaging them airtight. Vacuum sealing works wonders!
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen treasure, thaw slowly in the fridge (12-24 hours), never at room temperature.
You’ll thank yourself later when you’re enjoying crab feasts long after crabbing season ends.
Are There Any Pollution Advisories Affecting Crab Consumption?
Yes, several pollution advisories affect crab consumption.
California’s Dungeness fishery is closed north of Sonoma/Mendocino line due to domoic acid concerns. You’ll need to avoid eating crab viscera (the gooey insides) from Sonoma to Point Reyes.
In Washington, the crab meat is safe but skip those internal organs.
Alaska warns against “crab butter” due to paralytic shellfish poisoning risks.
Canada’s regulations focus more on sustainability than pollution.
Always check local advisories before your crab feast!
Conclusion
You’re steering through a sea of regulations that changes with each state’s shoreline. Whether it’s California’s 10-crab allowance, Oregon’s male-only policy, or Alaska’s subsistence rules, you’ll need to know your local limits before dropping traps. Remember, these restrictions aren’t just bureaucratic hoops—they’re conservation lifelines ensuring these delicious crustaceans return season after season. So check your measurements, mind the calendar, and you’ll be serving up legal limits of oceanic treasure in no time.