BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Crabbing season is just around the corner in northwest Washington.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said recreational crabbing will be open starting July 16 in Bellingham and the San Juan Islands.
The season will last through Sept. 28, with crabbing only allowed Thursdays through Mondays. Crabbers are limited to five Dungeness, six Red Rock and six Tanner crabs each day.
“Crabbers will find that the 2026 summer seasons are similar to those in 2025,” Don Velasquez, a WDFW crustacean biologist, said in a news release. “Crabbing should continue to be strong in northern marine areas such as Admiralty Inlet, Deception Pass, Port Susan and around the San Juan Islands.”
However, some areas around Seattle are being limited to two days per week or even none amid declining Dungeness crab populations.
Fish and Wildlife is reminding crabbers that their gear has to be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
