Didn’t get enough crab this summer? Fall crab season is open!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has re-opened recreational crabbing in Birch Bay for the fall/winter! Currently on their website they show an opening date of October 7th and a closing date of December 31, 2017. If you missed out on the summer crabbing, or you just can’t get enough crab, this is a great opportunity to get back out there and catch some more.

With the fall season comes more wind and waves so if you plan to go boating please be aware that conditions in the fall/winter can be vastly different than those in summer.

Below are details from the WDFW website as of Oct 22, 2017.

Marine Area 7
North – Gulf of Georgia

Status Days Open Opening Date Closing Date
OPEN Everyday October 7, 2017 December 31, 2017

Rules:

Dungeness, Red Rock, and Tanner Crab, all fishing methods.

Seasons:

Opened for a winter season on October 7, 2017. Crabbing will be allowed daily through December 31, 2017.

 

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.