The moment everyone has been waiting for has arrived and crab season is officially open in Birch Bay (Marine Area 7 North – Gulf of Georgia). Birch Bay is known for its amazing Dungeness crab and crabbers enjoy being able to catch and cook fresh crab on the same day. Crabbing can be accomplished by dropping crab pots by boat during designated days or some people wade into the water to catch them by hand. A proper fishing/crabbing license is required in the state of Washington and can be purchased at any of the designated local license retailers. Anyone age 15 and over is required to have a fishing or shellfishing license to fish for crab in Washington state.
Be safe and courteous on the water and observe the rules and most of all, enjoy the crab!
For full information visit the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Marine Area 7
North – Gulf of Georgia
STATUS | DAYS OPEN | OPENING DATE | CLOSING DATE |
---|---|---|---|
LIMITED SEASON | Thursday – Monday only | August 16, 2018 | September 30, 2018 |
Rules:
Dungeness, Red Rock, and Tanner Crab, all fishing methods.
Seasons:
Once opened, crabbing will be allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week. Recreational crabbing will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and all gear must be removed from the water on closed days.
Crab Limits and Rules
Species | Min. size | Daily Limit | Season | Additional Rules |
Dungeness Crab | 6.25″ | 5 Males | see above | Must retain back shell while in the field. Must release all softshell, females and undersized crab. Catch record card required. |
Red Rock Crab | 5″ | Six crab Either sex |
see above | Must retain back shell while in the field. Must release all softshell crab. |
Tanner Crab | 4.5″ | Six crab Either sex |
see above | Must retain back shell while in the field. Must release all softshell crab. |
Anyone age 15 and over is required to have a fishing or shellfishing license to fish for crab in Washington state. In addition, all fishers – regardless of age – are required to have a crab endorsement and a catch record card (CRC) while fishing for crab in Puget Sound.
Recreational crabbers will be issued at one or two catch record cards (CRCs) when they purchase a Puget Sound crab endorsement with a fishing license. One CRC is valid for the summer fishing season, extending from the opening day through Labor Day. The other CRC is valid for the fall/winter fishing season, which extends from the day after Labor Day through December 31st. Crabbers should only request a CRC for the season(s) they intend to harvest.
Summer CRCs and Fall/Winter CRCs must be reported to WDFW by the date printed on each card. Failure to do so will result in a $10 administrative penalty on the next license purchase. Crabbers have the option of returning their completed CRC to WDFW by mail or filing their report on the website listed on the cards.