Recreational Crab Fishing - Columbia River | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Statewide Gear Rules
Crab, Shrimp & Crawfish

Report Derelict Fishing Gear

Fishing Hotline
360-902-2500

Shellfish Rule
Change Hotline
1-866-880-5431

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For more information on
fishing, please contact the
WDFW Fish Program.
360-902-2700

For fishing regulation
questions, e-mail us at:
fishregs@dfw.wa.gov

For all other questions and comments, e-mail us at:
fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov

Recreational Crab Fishing

Marine Area 1
Columbia River

OPEN ALL YEAR

Rules:

CRAB: Dungeness and Red Rock Crab, all fishing methods;

Seasons:

Columbia River is defined as east of a line from exposed end of north and south jetty upstream to a line between Tongue Point and Rocky Point.

Crab Limits and Rules

Species	Min. size	Limit	Season	Additional Rules
Crab	see below	see below	see above	A resident license of either Oregon or Washington is required. Crab fishers may fish for crab in Oregon waters under Oregon rules and land into Washington ports of the Columbia River. Fishing instruments must not penetrate the shell.
Dungeness Crab	5.75"	12 Males	see above	Must retain back shell while in the field. Must release all softshell, females and undersized crab.
Red Rock Crab	5"	Six crab Either sex	see above	Must retain back shell while in the field. Must release all softshell crab.

NOTE: all fishing gear must be removed from the water
by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.

Last Updated: May 1, 2009

Click on the map below in the area
for crab season and limit information