For current regulations, see our crab seasons and areas webpage.
When is crabbing open on the coast?
Grays Harbor and Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (west of Tatoosh-Bonilla line): Open Dec. 1 to Sept. 15 for pot gear. Open year-round to other gear.
Willapa Bay: Open Nov. 15 to Sept. 15 for pot gear. Open year-round to other gear.
Columbia River: Open year-round to all gear types including pots.
Why is there a pot closure period on the coast?
Pot closure dates vary by area. Hoop nets, also known as dome pots or conical nets, are not legal gear during crab pot closures as they do not lie flat on the seafloor.
The coastal pot closure period is in effect to reduce soft-shell crab mortality during the crab molt cycle. Soft-shell crab trapped in a pot are defenseless against other hard-shell crab in the pot with them.
Pot season is closed from Sept. 16 to Nov. 14 for Willapa Bay and from Sept. 16 to Nov. 30 for Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (west of Tatoosh-Bonilla line) and Grays Harbor.
Learn more and get tips for coastal crabbing in this 2023 blog post: Check your gear: here’s what’s legal during crab pot closure in coastal marine areas.
Do I need a catch record card for crabbing on the coast?
No. A catch record card is only used for Puget Sound crabbing.
Can I crab on the Columbia River from Washington ports with my Oregon fishing license?
Yes, as long as you have the appropriate Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) fishing license and adhere to the relevant regulations.
ODFW-licensed crabbers are allowed to crab from vessels launched out of Washington ports both in the Columbia River and in the ocean up to 3 miles from shore and as far north as Leadbetter Point but are not allowed to crab from shore. Crabbers are required to follow all current regulations for the area being fished (Washington or Oregon side of the river/ocean) and must ensure they comply with all relevant regulations for the state the crab are being landed in to.
Where is the best place to crab on the coast?
Away from rocks in sandy or muddy areas at variable depths from intertidal zone to 160 feet. These areas can be in the Pacific Ocean and estuarine bays like Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.
What is the best time of year to go crabbing?
You can crab year-round on the coast. However, most male crab will molt during the late summer. It is important to check for shell hardness when crabbing during the summer months to ensure you are only keeping hard-shell crab.
When is the best time of day to crab?
Slack water (high or low tide, with high being the best) is the best time to go crabbing. During slack water, crab will not be pushed around by tidal currents and will be foraging for food.
What is the best gear to use on the coast?
It depends on the style of fishing – passive or active. Pots will fish better over long time periods, while other types (collapsible ring nets or snares attached to fishing rods) will fish faster during a short time period.
What gear is considered a pot?
A pot is defined as a type of gear that does not allow for free movement of crab in and out of the gear while being fished. Typically, a pot has two entrances that allow the crab to enter but not exit.
Pots can vary in shape, including square, rectangular, circular, triangular, and octagonal. Hoop nets are also considered pot gear because they don’t lie flat or allow the free movement of crab when fished. Foldable pots (Danielson being a very common brand) are still considered pots and illegal gear during the closure.
