Offshore map of California coastline and Dungeness crab fishing restrictions

California Opens Dungeness Crab Season with Delays and Trap Bans

by

California Opens Recreational Dungeness Crab Season with Statewide Trap Bans and Northern Delays

California’s recreational Dungeness crab season will open on November 7, 2026, under strict trap restrictions across the majority of the coast, while public health officials have delayed the fishery entirely in a section of Northern California due to dangerous toxin levels. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), state health agencies found unhealthy levels of domoic acid in crabs collected north of Fort Bragg, prompting the targeted closure.

The recreational fishery closure spans state waters from Cape Mendocino down to the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve, covering southern Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County. CDFW Director Meghan Hertel delayed the opening in this zone following recommendations from the California Department of Public Health. Recreational take and possession of Dungeness crab remain strictly prohibited in these closed waters until state health officials determine domoic acid no longer poses a risk.

Whale Entanglements Trigger Coastwide Trap Restrictions and Commercial Delays

Beyond the biotoxin closure, sweeping gear restrictions take effect for the broader fishery. From the California/Oregon border down to Point Conception, encompassing Fishing Zones 1 through 5, recreational crab traps are restricted until at least January 1, 2027. State wildlife officials imposed the gear limits due to a high number of confirmed humpback whale entanglements during the 2026 calendar year and an increased abundance of whales across fishing grounds.

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery faces an identical timeline, with its opening delayed from the Oregon border to Point Conception until at least January 1, 2027. Current state regulations require the CDFW director to take these preventative steps to minimize additional entanglements and allow migratory whales to clear California waters before commercial operations begin.

“CDFW remains committed to working collaboratively with all sectors across California to protect whale and turtles from entanglements in fishing gear,” Hertel said. “Partnerships are more important than ever as we work together to protect endangered whales and turtles and our fishing communities in the face of increasing disruptions from our changing climate.”

Alternative Gear and What Comes Next

The recreational trap restrictions do not ban all gear types. Anglers may still use hoop nets and crab snares, though CDFW emphasizes that all hoop nets must be serviced every two hours and cannot be left unattended. A broader Fleet Advisory remains active across all Fishing Zones, warning recreational crabbers to avoid setting any gear near observed whales.

Ca crab fishing zones

State regulators anticipate holding another risk assessment in mid-December. That evaluation will incorporate recommendations from the Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group to decide whether commercial operations can start and recreational trap bans can lift around the new year. Additional details on safe fishing practices and marine conservation are available through the CDFW Whale Safe Fisheries page.

More on California: DOJ Subpoenas California Election Officials Over Voter Roll Records

California’s commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 31

More on this

Read next