Get ready to drop your pots and traps—winter crabbing season is about to kick off in the Puget Sound next Wednesday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given the green light to sport crab fishers, announcing the opening in a press release yesterday. You can expect to haul in Dungeness, red rock, and Tanner crabs on any day of the week through December 31 in several marine areas, so mark your calendars and prepare your gear for what's being tipped off as a bountiful season.
Thanks to the data collected from enthusiastic crabbers over the summer, fishery managers have deemed the populations healthy enough for a winter fishery. At least in the majority of marine areas, that is. According to a statement by Katelyn Bosley, WDFW crustacean program leader, "Crab harvest data reported on Catch Record Cards (CRC) from the summer season plays a critical role in determining both the areas and duration of winter crabbing seasons." However, certain areas like Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) remain closed due to lower crab numbers.
As always, there are regulations to keep in mind. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches. For red rock crabs, you can keep six of either sex, provided they meet the minimum width of 5 inches. Tanner crabs are also up for grabs, with a limit of six and a required carapace minimum of 4 1/2 inches. WDFW continues to reinforce the rules, reminding fishers that traps can only be set or pulled from a vessel starting one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
Make sure to stay on top of your legal requirements, as any recreational crabber aged 16 or older must carry a valid Washington fishing license. Multiple options are available depending on your fishing schedule, from an annual shellfish/seaweed license to combination fishing licenses. These can be as short as a single day or as long as a year. And while out there pulling crabs from the Sound, remember that each Dungeness crab needs to be recorded immediately on winter catch record cards. As reported by WDFW, these record cards are not only complimentary to those with crab endorsements but also critical for ensuring accurate harvest estimates and future season planning.
For the crab enthusiasts eager to prove their prowess, WDFW has a crabber knowledge quiz available online. Moreover, the winter catch reports, which are due by February 1, 2026, enable fishery managers to make better-informed decisions.
