Can I Keep?King crab Regulations in Alaska (2026)
Recreational king crab rules in Alaska saltwater, as published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational King crab rules in Alaska
- Where
- Kodiak Island, Alaska Peninsula & Aleutian Islands salt waters
- Size limit
- Males only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 6½ inches or more (straight line distance across carapace, not including spines).
- Bag limit
- Males only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 6½ inches or more (straight line distance across carapace, not including spines).
- Possession
- Males only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 6½ inches or more (straight line distance across carapace, not including spines).
- Season
- • Kodiak Area: Closed to all king crab species.
- Where
- Southeast Alaska
- Bag limit
- King Crab: Closed year-round to sport fishing.
- Season
- Fishing for shellfish is open year-round except: King crab: Open to RESIDENTS ONLY under personal use regulations. Check for emergency orders and/or permits with the nearest ADF&G office.
- Alaska residents can harvest shellfish under sport, personal use, or subsistence regulations and nonresidents must harvest shellfish under sport regulations.
- Possession Limit: For all shellfish species in Southeast Alaska, the possession limit equals one daily bag limit.
- Nonresidents Sport Shellfish Regulations
- Where
- Southcentral Alaska
- Season
- Prince William Sound is only open to golden king crab (subsistence) - minimum size 7 inches The rest of Southcentral Alaska is closed to crabbing for all species of king crab.
- Prince William Sound is only open to golden king crab (subsistence).
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Prince William Sound (Registration Area E) (ocean)
- Season
- 5 AAC 34.210. Fishing seasons for Registration Area E. The commercial taking of king crab in Registration Area E is closed until the king crab stocks have recovered enough for a harvest strategy to be developed by the department and adopted by the Board of Fisheries.
- Where
- Cook Inlet (Registration Area H) (ocean)
- Season
- 5 AAC 34.310. Fishing seasons for Registration Area H. The commercial taking of king crab in Registration Area H is closed until the king crab stocks have recovered enough for a harvest strategy to be developed by the department and adopted by the Board of Fisheries.
Quick answers
What is the king crab size limit in Alaska?
Males only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 6½ inches or more (straight line distance across carapace, not including spines). (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
How many king crab can I keep in Alaska?
Males only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 6½ inches or more (straight line distance across carapace, not including spines). (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).
When is king crab season in Alaska?
• Kodiak Area: Closed to all king crab species.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
More crabs, lobster & shrimp in Alaska
All Alaska saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Most anglers need a Alaska saltwater license or registry: get one here.