California regulations
Dungeness Crab Regulations in California 2026
California dungeness crab 2026 open seasons vary by 29 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 10/day and 5″ min. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from CDFW.
Rules (55)
All Bays, Sloughs, And Estuaries Between The Golden Gate Bridge And Carquinez BridgeClosed
- Status
- Closed
All Ocean WatersClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
The Director may use a depth constraint for crab traps during the Dungeness crab season where Dungeness crab may not be taken or possessed in waters within a specific depth range.
All Other CountiesIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 6
- Season closes
- Jun 30
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 5.75"
SaturdayNovember 6, 2027
All Their Tidal Bays, Sloughs And Estuaries Between The Golden Gate Bridge And Carquinez BridgeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Big Flat State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed.
Big River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area3Open
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by hoop net or hand is allowed.
Bodega Head State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trap
Dungeness crab by trap is allowed.
Del Norte CountyIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jul 30
- Daily bag
- 10 crab
- Min size
- 5.75"
Del Norte, Humboldt, And Mendocino CountiesIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 6
- Season closes
- Jul 30
SaturdayNovember 6, 2027 SundayJuly30, 2028
Double Cone Rock State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed.
Humboldt CountyIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jul 30
- Daily bag
- 10 crab
- Min size
- 5.75"
Mendocino CountyIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jul 30
- Daily bag
- 10 crab
- Min size
- 5.75"
North Of The Sonoma/Mendocino County LineIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jul 30
2025 2026
OceanIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jul 30
open from November 1, 2025 through July 30, 2026
Ocean Waters Between Pigeon Point, San Mateo County And Point Conception (Fishing Zones 4 And 5)Open
- Status
- Permitted
The use of hoop nets and crab snares is permitted
Pillar Point State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trap
recreational take by trap is allowed The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap is allowed.
Point Reyes State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trap
Dungeness crab by trap is allowed.
Point St. George Reef Offshore State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap is allowed.
Reading Rock State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed.
Russian River State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Gear
- Trap
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, and surf smelt using hand-held dip net or beach net is allowed.
Samoa State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed.
San Francisco Or San Pablo BaysClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
Dungeness crab may not be taken from San Francisco or San Pablo bays.
South Of The Mendocino/Sonoma County LineIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jun 30
- Daily bag
- 10 crab
- Min size
- 5.75"
open from November 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026
South Of The Sonoma/Mendocino County LineIn season
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Jun 30
2025 2026
Ten Mile Beach State Marine Conservation AreaOpen
- Status
- Permitted
The recreational take of Dungeness crab by trap, hoop net or hand is allowed.
Other California fish regulations
Other regulated species in California with current rule pages — same CDFW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)850 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)204 rules
- Steelhead148 rules
- Stripers (Striped Bass)35 rules
- White Seabass33 rules
- California Halibut24 rules
- White Sturgeon18 rules
- Spiny Lobster16 rules
- Rockfish15 rules
- Lingcod11 rules
- Yellowtail7 rules
- Smallmouth Bass5 rules
- Largemouth Bass2 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Dungeness Crab season in California?
Dungeness Crab season in California runs from Nov 6 to Jun 30 per CDFW.
What is the size limit for Dungeness Crab in California?
Minimum size for Dungeness Crab in California is 5.75 inches in All Other Counties, per CDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Dungeness Crab in California?
Daily bag limit for Dungeness Crab in California is 10 fish in All Other Counties, per CDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=239985&inline
- https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/Northern
- https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/San-Francisco
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with CDFW before keeping a catch.