It should come as no surprise that crabs are best enjoyed when they’re fresh and in season. The good news? You can get your hands on recently caught crab just about any time of the year, depending on the type of crab. You can even do it yourself with very little experience.
Knowing the season for each type will help you find—and look forward to—the freshest options, whether you’re buying from the fish market or ordering them up at a restaurant. You can usually find all the cages and rope at a local bait and tackle shop or even at a local Walmart. Crabbing is a great family activity fun for all ages. You can catch and release or even keep some for dinner.
When Is Crab Season?
The primary season for all crab species is October to January when they are often at their largest and populations are highest after spawning. Some regions even stretch the crabbing season into July.
Some of the largest crab-producing states, like Alaska and Maine, start crab season in the fall, around October, and end it as temperatures start climbing in early spring. In other states, like Florida and South Carolina, crab season is year-round.
Some states have crabbing seasons during warmer months instead of winter, when crabs are more dormant and inactive. For example, in Maryland, crabbing season starts April 1 and ends in November.
Know Your State’s Crab Season
Before you round up your nets, traps, and buoys, look into your state’s fishing season and requirements. Most states list the season for each type of species they allow to be fished on fish and wildlife websites. Opening and closing dates, as well as size limits and bag limits, are also listed.
Get Your Crabbing License
If your state requires a fishing license, make sure you have one for each fisher before hitting the water. Make sure also you don’t need an additional license for crab fishing. Some states issue separate licenses for separate species.
Crabbing Dates May Change
Be sure to also keep tabs on changes to season-ending dates. In some states, crab season will shorten if fish and wildlife experts detect a species’ population number is too low. Likewise, some states will not open crab season if the population is threatened by overfishing. Fishing during these windows may be a criminal offense.
We get this question of when a certian crabbing season is a lot since our bait binder products are so good at attracting large casts or groups of crabs in deep water and in saltwater marshes. So we have compiled a list of links and resources to help you find out more regarding the time of year in your state that is carb season. If we have missed any states or dates for crabbing season, contact us today!
Crabbing Season in Louisana: Commercial Season Sept 9 – Oct. 13
Blue Crab Season in Texas: All Year (Except February 15 – 24, 2019)
Maryland Crabbing Season: April 1- November
