Crabbing is a beloved Northwest tradition, and Whidbey and Camano Islands offer excellent Dungeness and red rock crabbing opportunities in the scenic waters of Admiralty Inlet, Saratoga Passage, Skagit Bay, and Port Susan. That includes Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine areas 9, 6, 8-1, and 8-2.
It can be a fun and creative adventure, with several ways to catch these tasty crustaceans depending on your style and sense of adventure.
The most popular method involves dropping pots or rings from a boat. We use the term “boat” loosely here — Not just power boats, but row boats, canoes, kayaks, even paddle boards can be used if you have the expertise to do so. This means you can launch your craft and get out on the water from most public beaches. For the truly adventurous (and certified), scuba diving offers a chance to grab crabs by hand underwater—an up-close encounter with marine life!
Don’t have a “boat”? Not to worry, you can try your luck from shore with a fishing pole and a castable crab snare. It may not be quite as productive, but it is a heck of a lot of fun as you can feel the crab working to get at your bait as they entangle themselves in the snare’s loops.
Keep in mind that with all this excellent access comes great responsibility. To crab sustainably, always check the current regulations of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for seasons, open days of the week, legal limits, and size requirements. Only male Dungeness crabs measuring at least 6¼ inches across the back shell (inside of the tips at either side) may be kept. Female and soft-shell crabs must be released immediately to protect future generations. Be gentle when returning them to the water, they hold the key to future seasons.
Crab with the kids
Engage the children in your group and let them be part of the effort to protect our sea life by letting them help record your catch on the catch record card. This helps wildlife managers maintain a healthy population. Be sure to report your catch record by the WDFW deadline to avoid fines.
Whether crabbing from shore or launching a boat, harvest only what you need and leave the beaches better than you found them. Responsible crabbing ensures this island tradition continues for years to come.
Pro tips:
No matter how you catch them, remember these critters can be quite feisty and they can really do some damage to a finger if they get their claws on one. Luckily, there are safe methods to handle crab, both for the crab and for yourself, it’s a good idea to research these before you try dealing with one in a snare, ring, trap, or pot!
Be careful out there. These often sheltered seeming waterways can turn dangerous when the wind comes up, so keep a close eye on the forecast and conditions.
