Puget Sound Crabbing Season Fall & Winter 2025 - Exciting Seasons Announced!

Harvesting Dungeness Crab happens to be the most popular activities on Puget Sound, but most people associate this season with summer only. Once the summer crabbing season wraps up around Labor Day, many people who bought the Puget Sound Crab Endorsement wash off their pots and put them away until next July. Like in years past, a late crabbing season was announced, and the areas that will be open will have a generous season. No doubt, the air will be crisp, additional clothing layers needed, and more attention to the weather report before heading out, but the bounty is there!
This year we have areas opened from Seattle to Neah Bay, and all in between.

Autumn sunset on Puget Sound from inside the Shilshole Marina breakwater.
Late season crabbing can be even more productive than summer season with less competition.
Most areas of Puget Sound don’t see much crabbing pressure after the summer season ends, but we are entering a great time to harvest Dungeness Crab. September gave our crab populations a chance to repopulate that golden zone of crabbing, 45’ to 100’ of water. While there will be some consistent crabbing efforts around popular boat launches and marinas, there should be plenty of keeper-sized Dungeness to make the trip worth it.
An added benefit of fewer people is a 7-day per week season. If you do have a boat moored at a marina, or can swing down to the boat launch easily, you can drop your pots and let them soak overnight. These longer soaks can yield limits, and since there are no closed days, there isn’t as much stress about pulling your pots due to an upcoming closure date.
Many areas of Puget Sound, Port Angeles, Sequim and San Juan Islands are open 7-days a week through the end of 2025.
The state has announced late season openings in many areas of Puget Sound, but not all. Areas reopened on October 1st through December 31st, 2025. Waters reopening to sport crabbing seven days a week from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 include:
- Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line)
- Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
- Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait, Port Angeles Harbor, Discovery Bay)
- Marine Area 7 North (San Juan Islands)
- Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands)
- Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay)
- Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner)
- Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet)
- Marine Area 10 (Seattle and Bremerton Area)
- Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) portion north of Ayock Point only
We shan't see a late season open for Area 11, Area 13 or Area 12-South unfortunately, there just isn't a large enough available catch to make it pan out.
A couple limits of Dungeness Crab from Puget Sound!
Late season limits and regulations the same as summer rules, with added days each week.
Just like all of our reporting, we want you to use the WDFW site to keep updated on rules, regulations and seasons. Late season has many of the same rules as summer, the basics are…
- All crabbers 16 years or older need a current Washington fishing license, plus a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement/Winter Crab Card
- All crabbers younger than 16 need a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement/Winter Crab Card
- Mark your kept catch on your crab card as you go
- Only two crab pots/rings per crabber, they must meet meet the legal requirements for Washington crab gear
- Your red/white crab buoy must have your name and address on the buoy
- Open 7 days a week in areas listed above October 1 to December 31.
- Limit is 5 Dungeness Crab, 6-1/4" minimum size, males only in hardshell condition
plus 6 Red Rock Crab, 5" minimum size of either sex and in hardshell condition - All WDFW Crab Rules
- Official WDFW News Release: Late Season Crab Announcement
Crabbing with the right clothing and picking the best weather days makes for some winter crabbing fun!
Preparing for fall and winter weather on Puget Sound
Puget Sound is usually a very pleasant place to be during the summer months, with mild temperatures, light winds and calm seas. After our summer season, we see a little more variety in the conditions. It almost goes without saying that it’s going to take a little more thoughtfulness when planning and executing a day on Puget Sound, say in November versus August.
- Be aware of current and future weather conditions when planning your trip, look at Washington Marine Forecast for wind, wave forecasts as well as small-craft and gale advisories.
- Study the tide charts to know how to plan for the softer tides. Big tide swings and minus tides can be a recipe for lost crabbing gear. NOAA Tide Predictions Seattle
- Make sure your pots are weighted with at least 8-10 pounds if you are leaving them overnight or in areas of stronger current. Additional floats may help you locate your crab pots as well.
- Stay warm and dry! This is a big one. Always overdress with extra layers, hat and gloves. For those that will be pulling crab pots and coiling lines, rubber boots, bibs, jacket and gloves can make the day much more enjoyable.
- Only venture out when you feel safe. Know your boat's capabilities and only go out when you know you can operate a safe and successful day on Puget Sound. We always err on the side of caution, if you question whether it's safe enough to go, chances are at very least it won't be fun, stay home and save it for a day with light winds and calm seas.