OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today that several Puget Sound marine areas will reopen for recreational crab fishing beginning Oct. 1.
Waters reopening to sport crabbing seven days a week from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 include:
- Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line)
- Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
- Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles Harbor, Discovery Bay)
- Marine Area 7 North (San Juan Islands)
- Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands)
- Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet)
- Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) portion north of Ayock Point only
Crabbing will not immediately reopen for the winter season in Marine Area 10 (Seattle and Bremerton Area) or Marine Area 11 (Tacoma and Vashon Island Area) due to the limited number of crab remaining in the catch quota following the summer recreational fishery. Fishery managers will re-evaluate the harvest estimates for both marine areas after the CRC/eCRC reporting period closes and all data is entered to determine if enough quota remains to allow a winter fishery. Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay) and Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) will also not immediately reopen for the winter season due to softshell crab concerns.
Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) and a portion of Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) south of Ayock Point will remain closed for the winter season, with long-term test fishing and harvest assessment information indicating continued poor abundance in those areas.
WDFW reminds sport crabbers that setting or pulling traps from a vessel is only allowed from one hour before official sunrise through one hour after official sunset.
The daily limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crabs, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches. Crabbers may also keep six red rock crabs of either sex per day with a minimum carapace width of 5 inches, and six Tanner crabs of either sex with a minimum carapace of 4 1/2 inches.
All recreational crabbers 16 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.
Crabbers must have a Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement to harvest Dungeness crab from Puget Sound. All Dungeness crab caught in the late-season recreational fishery must be recorded immediately on winter catch record cards, which are valid through Dec. 31. Winter catch record cards are free to those with crab endorsements. Instructions on how to obtain a winter eCRC can be found on the WDFW’s catch record card webpage. Licenses and endorsements are available on WDFW’s website, through the MyWDFW mobile app, or from statewide license dealers and WDFW regional offices. Winter catch reports are due to WDFW by Feb. 1, 2027.
Catch reporting: Upcoming deadlines and instructions
Puget Sound crabbers have until Oct. 1 to submit their 2026 summer catch record card or electronic crab catch record cards (CRC/eCRC), regardless of whether any Dungeness crabs were kept or not. Crabbers who don’t submit their catch reports by Oct. 1 will be assessed a $10 non-reporting penalty when purchasing a 2027 Puget Sound crab endorsement. Puget Sound crabbers may choose from multiple methods to report their catch. Refer to the WDFW news release for more information about how to submit a summer CRC/eCRC.
“Catch record card data from this past summer season plays a critical role in determining both the areas and duration of winter crabbing seasons,” said Katelyn Bosley, WDFW crustacean program leader. “This data is also important for assessing the crab population.”
Visit the WDFW recreational crabbing seasons and areas page to learn more. WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
