Washington regulations
Dungeness Crab Regulations in Washington 2026
Washington dungeness crab 2026 open seasons vary by 16 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from WDFW.
Rules (21)
East Of A Line From Exposed End Of North And South Jetty Upstream To A Line Between Tongue Point And Rocky PointOpen
- Status
- Open
Open year-round to all gear. Crab fishers may fish for crab in Oregon waters under Oregon rules and land into Washington ports of the Columbia River. A resident license from either state is required.
Marine Area 12 (South Of Ayock Point)Closed
- Status
- Closed
Closed to crab harvest in 2025.
Marine Areas 1-3Open
- Status
- Open
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Sep 15
Open year-round to other gear. for Pot Gear
Marine Areas 4 (West Of Bonilla-Tatoosh Line)Open
- Status
- Open
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Sep 15
Open year-round to other gear. for Pot Gear
Other Washington fish regulations
Other regulated species in Washington with current rule pages — same WDFW source, same verification cadence.
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)921 rules
- Salmon (Chinook, Coho, Pink)783 rules
- Steelhead116 rules
- Lingcod50 rules
- Rockfish32 rules
- White Sturgeon9 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Dungeness Crab season in Washington?
Dungeness Crab season in Washington runs from Dec 1 to Sep 15 per WDFW.
What is the size limit for Dungeness Crab in Washington?
Minimum size for Dungeness Crab in Washington is 6.25 inches in All Areas, per WDFW. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Dungeness Crab in Washington?
Daily bag limit for Dungeness Crab in Washington is 5 crabs in All Areas, per WDFW.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/crab-rules
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25WAFW_LR9.pdf
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with WDFW before keeping a catch.