Most (but not all) Puget Sound areas opening for recreational crabbing this summer

June 15, 2022

Action: Opens Puget Sound summer crab seasons.

Species affected: Dungeness crab, red rock crab, tanner crab.

Effective Dates and Locations: Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 8-1, 8-2, and 9 will open for personal use Thursday through Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. July 1, through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 5, 2022.

Sub-area 7 South (Those waters of Marine Area 7 south and west of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island, through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island, thence to the buoy at Clements Reef, thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, thence running along the northern shore of Patos Island to the westernmost point of Patos Island, thence true west to the international boundary and south of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island) will open for personal use Thursday through Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. July 14, through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30, 2022.

Sub-area 7 North (Those waters of Marine Area 7 north and east of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island thence to the buoy at Clements Reef thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, running along the northern shoreline of Patos Island and from the westernmost point of Patos Island true west to the international boundary and north of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island) will open for personal use Thursday through Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. Aug. 18, through 11:59 p.m. September 30, 2022.

Marine Area 10 will open for personal use Sunday and Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. July 3, through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 5, 2022.

Marine Area 11 will open for personal use Sunday and Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. July 3, through 11:59 p.m. August 29, 2022.

The portion of Marine Area 12 north of a line projected due east from Ayock Point will open for personal use Thursday through Monday each week from 12:01 a.m. July 1, through 11:59 p.m. September 5, 2022.


Marine Area 13, and Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point will be closed until further notice.


Reason for action: State and Tribal co-managers have agreed that legal size Dungeness crabs will have reached the hardshell criteria for harvest by these dates in the areas being fished. These start dates will aid in achieving 50/50 harvest goal with the Treaty Tribes.

Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point, and Marine Area 13 will be kept closed to promote recovery of Dungeness crab populations in these areas.

Additional information: The daily limits in all opened Marine Areas will be five crabs per day for Dungeness crabs, six crabs per day for Red Rock crabs, and six crabs per day for Tanner crabs. All Dungeness crabs retained during this time must be recorded immediately on a summer catch record card.

Information contact: Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.