Action: Opens winter crab seasons in Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay) and Marine Area 8-2 (Ports Susan and Gardner); crabbing is allowed seven days a week Oct. 10–Dec. 31 in these areas.
Effective dates: Oct. 10–Dec. 31, 2026.
Species affected: Dungeness, red rock, and Tanner crab.
Locations: Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2.
Reason for action: Preliminary summer harvest estimates indicate adequate amounts of legal-size male Dungeness crabs in hardshell condition are present in these areas to open for recreational harvest as indicated. These seasons will aid in achieving 50/50 harvest goals with the Treaty Tribes.
Additional information: The opening of winter recreational and commercial crab seasons in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 was delayed until additional sampling confirmed that sufficient numbers of legal-size male Dungeness crabs had transitioned from softshell to hardshell condition. Sampling was completed on Oct. 2, 2026. After reviewing data, fishery managers made the decision to open recreational crabbing in these areas.
Additional time and final catch estimates are needed to determine whether Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton) and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) can offer any winter recreational opportunity.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point and Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) will remain closed for the remainder of 2026.
The daily limit in all Puget Sound marine areas is five crabs per day for male Dungeness crabs, six crabs per day for Red Rock crabs, and six crabs per day for Tanner crabs. All Dungeness crabs retained during this time must be recorded on a winter catch record card. Learn more about catch record card options on the WDFW website.
Information contact: Don Velasquez, North Puget Sound Region, phone: 425-725-3038, email: Don.Velasquez@dfw.wa.gov