Can I Keep?Red King Crab Regulations in Alaska (2026)
Recreational red king crab rules in Alaska saltwater, as published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
4.75 in minimum
Bag limit
6 per person
Season
In the waters south of 60°N. Latitude, male king crab may be taken…
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Red King Crab rules in Alaska
- Where
- Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas
- Size limit
- Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 4¾ inches or more.
- Bag limit
- • Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 4¾ inches or more.
- Possession
- Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 4¾ inches or more.
- Season
- In the waters south of 60°N. Latitude, male king crab may be taken only from June 1 through January 1.
- Males Only
Commercial rules
Show 8 commercial rules
- Where
- Southeast Alaska (Registration Area A) (ocean)
- Size limit
- In Registration Area A, only male king crab seven inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed
- Season
- (a) Male red king crab may only be taken from 10:00 a.m. November 1 through January 24.
- Where
- Yakutat Area (Registration Area D) (ocean)
- Size limit
- In Registration Area A, only male king crab seven inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed
- Season
- (a) Male red king crab may be taken only from 12:00 noon October 24 through December 31.
- 5 AAC 34.180. Size limits for Registration Area D. The size limits for king crab in Registration Area D are the same as those described for king crab in Registration Area A in 5 AAC 34.120.
- Where
- Kodiak (Registration Area K) (ocean)
- Size limit
- Only male red and blue king crab seven inches or greater, and male golden king crab six and one-half inches or greater, in width of shell may be taken or possessed
- Season
- (a) The commissioner may open and close, by emergency order, a season for red and blue king crab beginning 12:00 noon September 25.
- Where
- Alaska Peninsula (Registration Area M) (ocean)
- Size limit
- (a) Only male king crab six and one-half inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed.
- Season
- (a) The commissioner may open and close, by emergency order, a season for red and blue king crab beginning 12:00 noon September 25.
- Where
- Aleutian Islands (Registration Area O) (ocean)
- Size limit
- (a) Male red king crab six and one-half inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed.
- Season
- (a) The commissioner may open and close, by emergency order, a season for male red king crab in the (1) Adak District under 5 AAC 34.616, beginning 12:00 noon August 1 and ending no later than 11:59 p.m. February 15; (2) Petrel District and Dutch Harbor District, beginning 12:00 noon October 15 and ending no later than 11:59 p.m. February 15.
- Where
- Bristol Bay (Registration Area T) (ocean)
- Size limit
- (a) Male red king crab six and one-half inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed.
- Season
- (a) Male red king crab may be taken only from 12:00 noon October 15 through 11:59 p.m. January 15.
- Where
- Bering Sea (Registration Area Q) – Pribilof District (ocean)
- Size limit
- (a) In the Pribilof District, only male red and blue king crab six and one-half inches or greater, and male golden king crab five and one-half inches or greater, in width of shell, may be taken or possessed.
- Season
- (b) In the Pribilof District, (1) male red and blue king crab may be taken only from 12:00 noon October 15 through 11:59 p.m. January 15;
- Where
- Norton Sound Section (Registration Area Q) (ocean)
- Size limit
- (d) In the Norton Sound Section, only the following king crab may be taken or possessed: (1) male red king crab four and three-quarter inches or greater in width of shell;
- Season
- (d) In the Norton Sound Section of the Northern District, male red king crab, male blue king crab, and male Hanasaki king crab may be taken only as follows: (1) during a fishing season established by emergency order to open on or after June 15 and close 12:00 noon September 3 (summer season); and (2) through the ice only, during a fishing season to open February 1 and close April 30, unless extended by emergency order;
Quick answers
What is the red king crab size limit in Alaska?
Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 4¾ inches or more..
How many red king crab can I keep in Alaska?
• Northwestern and Kuskokwim-Goodnews Areas Only: 6 per day, 6 in possession, 4¾ inches or more..
When is red king crab season in Alaska?
In the waters south of 60°N. Latitude, male king crab may be taken only from June 1 through January 1.. 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.