Dungeness crab Regulations in Oregon (2026)

Recreational dungeness crab rules in Oregon saltwater, as published by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 6, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit

5.75 in minimum

Bag limit

12, males only

Season

Ocean waters are closed for crab Oct. 16 - Nov. 30.

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Dungeness crab rules in Oregon

Where: Ocean waters (ocean)
Size limit: 5 3/4 inches minimum size for Dungeness crab Correct size is measured as a straight line across the back (caliper measurements) in front of, but not including the points. Unlawful to mutilate crabs prior to landing so that size, sex or species may not be identified. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters.
Bag limit: 12, males only
Season: Ocean waters are closed for crab Oct. 16 - Nov. 30.

May be taken using crab rings, baited lines or pots (limited to 3 ring/lines/pots total per person); by hand, dip net or rake.
Holding pots or devices, or live boxes are allowed only in bays and estuaries, and may not hold more than two daily limits.
Floating buoys used for crab pots or rings must be marked in a visible, legible and permanent manner. Information must include the owners first and last name or business name, and at least one of the following: a) permanent address, b) phone number, c) ODFW ID number, or d) a vessel ID number. This rule does not apply when crabbing from a beach, jetty or pier. Use of pop-up style buoys is prohibited.
Shellfish regulations article dated 2024-01-05.
Always check ODA biotoxin closures before harvesting (https://www.oregon.gov/oda/food-safety/shellfish/pages/shellfish-closures.aspx).
Unlawful to use marked line that is required in any other West Coast fishery. Check dfw.state.or.us/MRP/entanglement for the list of prohibited line markings.

Official source

Where: Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties (bays & inshore)
Size limit: 5 3/4 inches minimum size for Dungeness crab Correct size is measured as a straight line across the back (caliper measurements) in front of, but not including the points. Unlawful to mutilate crabs prior to landing so that size, sex or species may not be identified. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters.
Bag limit: 12, males only
Season: Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties are open all year, 24 hours a day.

May be taken using crab rings, baited lines or pots (limited to 3 ring/lines/pots total per person); by hand, dip net or rake.
Holding pots or devices, or live boxes are allowed only in bays and estuaries, and may not hold more than two daily limits.
Floating buoys used for crab pots or rings must be marked in a visible, legible and permanent manner. Information must include the owners first and last name or business name, and at least one of the following: a) permanent address, b) phone number, c) ODFW ID number, or d) a vessel ID number. This rule does not apply when crabbing from a beach, jetty or pier. Use of pop-up style buoys is prohibited.
Shellfish regulations article dated 2024-01-05.
Always check ODA biotoxin closures before harvesting (https://www.oregon.gov/oda/food-safety/shellfish/pages/shellfish-closures.aspx).
Unlawful to use marked line that is required in any other West Coast fishery. Check dfw.state.or.us/MRP/entanglement for the list of prohibited line markings.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 2 commercial rules

Where: Ocean waters (ocean)
Size limit: Only male Dungeness crab 6-1/4 inches or larger may be taken or possessed. Measurement is a straight line or caliper measurement made directly in front of 10th anterolateral spine.
Bag limit: It is unlawful for any vessel to take, land, or possess more than 1,200 pounds of ocean and Columbia River Dungeness crab per week beginning the second Monday in June through August 14.
Season: It is unlawful to take, land, or possess Dungeness crab for commercial purposes from the Pacific Ocean or Columbia River from August 15 through 8:59 a.m. December 1 (see Pacific Ocean definition page 12).

Take Dungeness crab by any means other than crab pots or crab rings.
Crab pots must not be larger than 13 cubic feet internal volume and must have no less than two circular escape ports of at least 4-1/4 inches (inside diameter) on top or side of pot (upper half only) and one of the following: a.
From May 1 through August 14, it is unlawful to place, operate, or leave commercial Dungeness crab gear seaward of the 40 fathom depth contour, as defined by latitude and longitude at Title 50 CFR Part 660 Section 71.
From May 1 through August 14, to deploy or fish more crab gear than 80% of the amount of gear assigned by the crab gear allocation certificate.
Ocean Dungeness Crab Restricted Participation Permit required in addition to a boat license.
Season openings may be delayed beyond December 1 if preseason sampling indicates meat recovery criteria (24% south of Cascade Head and 23% north of Cascade Head) are not met or crab biotoxin testing results exceed federal Food and Drug Administration thresholds. In th ese events, emergency regulations will be adopted to establish season opening dates, areas, and any additional restrictions.
For 30 days after the season opens, vessels must receive a hold inspection from state officials certifying that no crab are onboard before starting fishing for that season.
Oregon ocean Dungeness crab permits are valid only in Oregon state waters and the Pacific Ocean in federal waters south of the Oregon/Washington border and north of the Oregon/California border, extending 200 nautical miles westward.
ODFW 2026 Oregon Commercial Fishing Regulations Synopsis: condensed form of the OAR 'for the convenience of the commercial harvester and is not intended to replace the laws or administrative rules'; rules are subject to change during the year.
OAR 635-005-0465 Closed Season in Pacific Ocean and Columbia River (official text, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2898): (1) It is unlawful to take, land or possess Dungeness crab for commercial purposes from the Pacific Ocean or Columbia River from August 15 through December 1, 08:59 AM.
OAR 635-005-0470 Dungeness Crab Fishery Possession and Landing Limits (official text, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2898): (1) It is unlawful, from the second Monday in June through August 14, for any permitted ocean Dungeness crab vessel to take, land or possess more than 1,200 pounds of Dungeness crab per week from the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River. "Week" means the period beginning 12:01 a.m. local time Monday through 12 midnight Sunday.

Official source

Where: Bays and estuaries (bays & inshore)
Size limit: Only male Dungeness crab 6-1/4 inches or larger may be taken or possessed. Measurement is a straight line or caliper measurement made directly in front of the 10th anterolateral spine.
Season: Unlawful to take from any bay: From January 1 through Labor Day; During December, if the adjacent ocean area is closed; From midnight Friday through midnight Sunday of any week; On all legal state and federal holidays; and Chetco River (ORS 511.306).

It is unlawful to use any gear other than crab rings, operate more than 15 crab rings from one vessel, or possess or use any crab ring which does not have a tag identifying the vessel or owner and at least one surface buoy marked with the vessel state registration number or federal documentation number in a visible, legible and permanent manner.
No specific permit is required; however commercial boat and individual or crew member license requirements still apply.
The Columbia River is excluded from the Bay Dungeness Crab Fishery; refer to Ocean Dungeness Crab Fishery.
ODFW 2026 Oregon Commercial Fishing Regulations Synopsis: condensed form of the OAR 'for the convenience of the commercial harvester and is not intended to replace the laws or administrative rules'; rules are subject to change during the year.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the dungeness crab size limit in Oregon?

5 3/4 inches minimum size for Dungeness crab Correct size is measured as a straight line across the back (caliper measurements) in front of, but not including the points. Unlawful to mutilate crabs prior to landing so that size, sex or species may not be identified. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many dungeness crab can I keep in Oregon?

12, males only (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is dungeness crab season in Oregon?

Ocean waters are closed for crab Oct. 16 - Nov. 30.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Dungeness crab limits in other states →

More crabs, lobster & shrimp in Oregon

All Oregon saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Oregon saltwater license or registry: get one here.