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Saltwater recreational limits, refreshed each season from the state agency.

REGULATIONS / CALIFORNIA

Dungeness Crab regulations

California · Curated reference from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected California ocean-sport reference subset is not a complete rulebook.

2026
SOURCECDFW ocean sport fishing regulations ↗UPDATED JULY 17, 2026 · CHECKED AUG 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCChecked Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCRules vary by location, method, vessel, and emergency closure.The CDFW page is an informational summary; the California Code of Regulations (Title 14) and emergency orders are authoritative.
LISTINGCLOSEDListed closedReopens November 7, 2026
SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAGMIN SIZELISTING
Dungeness Crab[confirmed] Official season wording is from the first Saturday in November through June 30 in all other counties, and through July 30 in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. [inferred] The first Saturday in November 2026 is November 7; the calendar-year windows above retain the nominal June 30 statewide end. Dungeness crab may not be taken from or possessed if taken from San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, or their tidal bays, sloughs, and estuaries between the Golden Gate Bridge and Carquinez Bridge. Minimum size is 5 and three-quarter inches measured by the shortest distance through the body, excluding lateral spines. · Listed season windows: Jan 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed · Nov 7, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 10 fish listedListed closed——CLOSED
LISTED SEASON WINDOWS
  • Jan 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2026 · 10 fish listed
  • Nov 7, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 · 10 fish listed
APPLICABILITY
[confirmed] Official season wording is from the first Saturday in November through June 30 in all other counties, and through July 30 in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties. [inferred] The first Saturday in November 2026 is November 7; the calendar-year windows above retain the nominal June 30 statewide end. Dungeness crab may not be taken from or possessed if taken from San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, or their tidal bays, sloughs, and estuaries between the Golden Gate Bridge and Carquinez Bridge. Minimum size is 5 and three-quarter inches measured by the shortest distance through the body, excluding lateral spines.
SOURCE AUTHORITY
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet, T14 CCR §29.85 (last updated July 17, 2026)

UPDATED July 17, 2026 · CHECKED Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · EFFECTIVE YEAR 2026

CDFW ocean sport fishing regulations ↗

The CDFW page is an informational summary; the California Code of Regulations (Title 14) and emergency orders are authoritative.

This reference does not grant permission to fish or retain a catch. Location, method, vessel, species identification, and emergency closures can change what applies. Verify the applicable official rules.