Species profile
Jonah Crab
Cancer borealis
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
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.