Winter Crabbing opens in parts of Puget Sound

Several marine areas of Puget Sound have been reopened for recreational crab fishing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced in October.

Waters reopening to sport crabbing Oct. 1 include marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), 6 (Juan de Fuca), 7 (San Juan Islands), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), and 12 Hood Canal (North of Ayock Point). Effective October 10, Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay (Marine area 8-1) and Port Susan and Port Gardner (Marine area 8-2) In each open area, crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31. Marine area 13 (South Puget Sound) remains closed to support conservation and recovery of Dungeness crabs in this area.

WDFW fishery managers regularly monitor crab harvest levels against population goals and agreements. Assessments for these areas show that crabbers are able to continue harvesting into the late season this year.

Sport crabbers are reminded 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. Additional information is available at wdfw.wa.go.

Crab fishers must have a Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement to harvest from Puget Sound. All Dungeness crabs caught in the late-season recreational fishery must be recorded immediately on winter catch record cards, which are valid through Dec. 31.