The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced that recreational crab-fishing seasons in the Puget Sound are set to start on July 3 in various marine areas. Don Velasquez, a crustacean biologist at WDFW, noted, "Crabbers will find that the 2025 summer seasons are very similar to those in 2024." He explained that last year's closures and limited seasons will continue into 2025.
With the opening schedule determined, locations such as Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) will be open July 3 through September 1, permitting crabbing Thursdays through Mondays. Announced in a statement obtained by the WDFW, Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands/Bellingham) is open from July 17 to September 29, with crabbing allowed during similar days.
Fishers are reminded to observe the daily limit, which permits the catch of five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches. If red rock crab are more to your taste, you're allowed six of either sex per day, given they meet the hard-shell condition and size requirements. It's crucial for the health of local crab populations that crabbers record their Dungeness haul on catch record cards (CRCs) and submit their information promptly, which assists state officials in managing the fishery sustainably.
Protective measures for vulnerable crab populations include closures of specific areas, such as Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) south of Ayock Point. This is to ensure the continuity of Dungeness crab stocks, as indicated in a recent update by the WDFW. To further safeguard the marine environment, a new rule is expected to be announced soon which would impose restrictions on deploying crab and shrimp fishing gear near state ferry terminals. This rule aims to prevent costly damage to ferries, applicable within set boundaries around the terminals.
Before venturing into the Sound, crabbers can sharpen their crustacean identification skills and familiarize themselves with best practices by taking the Puget Sound crabber knowledge quiz on the WDFW website. Licenses for the recreational pursuit can be easily obtained online or at numerous local vendors. For crab fishery fans, this upcoming season holds a familiar cadence, with regulations aiming to maintain the delicate balance between leisure and preservation of the aquatic realm.
