2004/2005 Crabbing Regulations for Dungeness Crab

Washington State Crabbing Regulations for Dungeness Crab
Excerpted from 2005/2006 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, “Sport Fishing Rules”
Washington state residents above the age of 14 and all non-residents must have a Shellfish/Seaweed License to fish for crab. As of May 18, 2004, there is a $3.00 endorsement fee to fish for Dungeness Crab in Puget Sound.
Area	Min. Size	Daily Limit	Season/Opening Days and Times /Additional Rules
Puget Sound Crab season opening dates are based on molt timings in the Marine Areas.	6 ¼"	5 males	Click here for Puget Sound seasons
Pacific Ocean Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and Marine Area 4 (west of Bonilla Tatoosh Line).	6"	6 males	Open December 1 to September 15 for Pot Gear. Open year-round to other gear.
Columbia River East of a line from exposed end of north and south jetty upstream to a line between Tongue Point and Rocky Point	5 ¾"	12 males	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.
Harvest Restrictions
Fidalgo Bay	Crabbing is prohibited at all times within 25 yards of the Burlington Northern Railroad Trestle.
Padilla Bay	Crab gear may only be set or pulled from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset within 25 yards of the Burlington Northern Railroad Trestles located at the north end of Swinomish Slough.
Measurement and Gender Determination

Measure crab at the widest part of the shell JUST IN FRONT OF THE POINTS OR TIPS Dollar bills are not accurate for measuring crab.