Commercial Crab Season in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 Set to Open Jan. 5, Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delay Continues in Fishing Zones 3 – 6

Commercial crab traps
CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 beginning Jan. 5, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. A 64-hour pre-soak can begin on Jan. 2, 2024 at 8:01 a.m. in waters ranging from the Oregon state line to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line. The commercial fishery will remain delayed from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border (Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6) due to elevated numbers of humpback whales and increased entanglement risk.

Crab Trap Restriction Lifting in Fishing Zone 1, Trap Restriction Remains in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed

Dungeness crab
CDFW image

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is lifting the temporary recreational crab trap restriction in the area between the California/Oregon state line and Cape Mendocino (Fishing Zone 1). The trap restriction in this area will be lifted on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. At that time use of recreational crab traps will be allowed in Fishing Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6.

Northern California Recreational Crab Trap Restriction Expanded, Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed

Dungeness crab collected to test for market readiness in 2019
CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is expanding the temporary recreational crab trap restriction to include the area between the California/Oregon state line and Cape Mendocino (Fishing Zone 1). The temporary restriction goes into effect on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. due to the presence of humpback whales in the area and the potential for entanglement from trap gear.

Dungeness Crab: Reminders for the 2023-2024 Recreational Season

Dungeness crab. photo by C. Babcock/ shutterstock

The recreational Dungeness crab season opens on Saturday, November 4, although use of crab traps will be temporarily restricted between the Sonoma/Mendocino county line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (Fishing Zones 3 and 4). The temporary ban on using crab traps is due to the presence of a large number of humpback whales feeding in the area, and the potential for entanglement with crab trap gear.