The Best Crabbing Spots

Alaska

• Four species of crab can be found in Alaska: blue, red, golden and scarlet. Caught most often are red king, tanner, snow and Dungeness crabs. The most popular crabbing spots in Alaska are Norton Sound, Dutch Harbor and Bristol Bay. During October and January, locations throughout the Bering Sea become prime crabbing areas.

Washington

• Puget Sound is an ideal crabbing spot in Washington state, along with the Columbia River and offshore in the Pacific Ocean for those with bigger boats. Near Seattle, crabbing spots include Birch Bay, Discovery Bay, Port Susan and Hood Canal. The state of Washington requires that you obtain a shellfish license and imposes daily limits and size requirements on red rock and Dungeness crabbing. You can only catch male hard-shell crabs and must release any soft-shell crabs you catch.

Oregon

• Most of the estuaries and bays in Oregon provide good crabbing locations. Winchester Bay in Reedsport, Coos Bay and Siletz Bay in Lincoln City are crabbing spots that are recommended by locals. Crabbing gear and rental boats are available at many spots, including Yaquina Bay in Newport, Alsea Bay in Waldport, Tillamook Bay in Garibaldi and Nehalem Bay. A shellfish license must be obtained, which allows each person to use three traps. The best time to find crab that meet Oregon's size requirements is from late July or early August until February.

North Carolina

• Large populations of Atlantic blue crab can be found in the Ocracoke waterways of North Carolina from May until October. Crabbing spots can also be found at Lake Mattamuskeet, South River, Newport River and Cape Fear River. Male blue crabs must measure 5 inches long and female crabs cannot be kept if they are carrying eggs, which are the spongy material found at the bottom of their shell. Stone crab can also be found in many of these locations. They must measure 2 3/4 inches at the forearm to be kept.

New Jersey

• Crabbing spots are never far away when you're in New Jersey. For the best crabbing in Monmouth County, head to Raritan Bay at the Keansburg Fishing Pier or Navesink River in Rumson where you can rent a boat near Oceanic Bridge. In Ocean County, the Bass River Bridge area and Berkeley Island County Park are great places to take kids crabbing, with playgrounds and beaches with life guards at the park. Blue crabs are found along the coast from Delaware bay up to the Hudson River. Tidal Creeks, saltwater bays and rivers provide ideal spots. Other crabbing spots in New Jersey include Dividing Creek, Good Luck Point at Ocean Gate and Barnegat Bay's Seaside Heights dock.