When is the best time to fish Dungeness Crab in Oregon and why?

Answer 1

The best months for crabbing in Oregon and Washington are months ending in "R" at least that is what everyone says. Actually the crabbing or crab fishing begins to get good in late July or early august and lasts until Feb. or so depending upon how much rain we get. When the winter rains come it dilutes the salinity of the bays and the crabs move further out into the saltier ocean waters. You can actually catch crab year round but in the late winter through early summer months they are molting and usually don't have much meat in them and also you get a high percentage of female crabs which you cant keep. Oregon now requires a shellfish license to harvest clams, crabs and shrimp. In Oregon you are allowed 3 traps per person.