Species profile
Jonah Crab
Cancer borealis
Identify Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis) is a crustacean regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 50 per angler across the 3 regulating jurisdictions.
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 4.8 in.
Confirmed by 3,279 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maine, Massachusetts, and Nova Scotia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Its carapace can reach up to 6 inches wide, making it a substantial seafood catch.
- Found from Nova Scotia to Florida, it inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms at considerable depths.
- The claws hold the sweetest meat and are often sold separately as Jonah crab claws.
- Jonah crab meat is frequently compared to Dungeness crab for its sweet, firm texture.
- It can be found at depths exceeding 500 meters along the continental shelf.
Where Jonah Crab are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Jonah Crab
Background
The Jonah crab (Cancer borealis) is a marine brachyuran crab that inhabits waters along the east coast of North America from Newfoundland to Florida. Jonah crabs possess a rounded, rough-edged carapace with small light spots, and robust claws with dark brown-black tips. The maximum reported carapace width for males is 222 mm, while females rarely exceed 150 mm.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Jonah Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Jonah Crab?
Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis) is a crustacean regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Jonah Crab?
Jonah Crab is Cancer borealis.
Is Jonah Crab regulated for fishing?
Yes — Jonah Crab has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Jonah Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Jonah Crab along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.