Northwest Fishing Reports

In between Sharks I'm catching very nice size dungenous Crabs. Will the crab season open back up for this 2016 season or did I get my crabbing endorsement for nothing.

Is there a reputable source I can go to to see the current and actual regulations.

From my outsider perspective

As hard as they make it here as far as regulations which aren't even enforced unless it's salmon. The current and correct regs should be easily accessible. Am I just missing the source....


Thanks for any and all input


Geo

there should be a winter season i think its sometime next month. i would call wdfw.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
from there you can download the regs. or check on changes, opening and closers. If we have a winter season I don't think it will be until Dec or Jan. You have to the end of this month to report and then they have to look at the numbers and decide.

And don't think they only enforce salmon. I have been checked for crab.

hlindsay wrote:http://wdfw.wa.gov/index.html
from there you can download the regs. or check on changes, opening and closers. If we have a winter season I don't think it will be until Dec or Jan. You have to the end of this month to report and then they have to look at the numbers and decide.

And don't think they only enforce salmon. I have been checked for crab.

They usually open it towards the end of Oct ,beginning of November

You can get a regulation booklet for free any where they sell licenses - or - download the regs here:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then check for emergency rules changes here:

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Do NOT skip checking the emergency rules before you go fishing - every time.

The rules have been changing on a daily basis. Seriously, I have been getting rules changes emails almost every single day this year. I would recommend you sign up for the email notifications as well.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/lists/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just got this email....

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

October 4, 2016

Contacts: Donald Velasquez, (425) 775-1311, ext. 112;
Mark O'Toole, (360) 466-4345, ext. 241

Most areas of Puget Sound reopening for winter crab fishing

OLYMPIA – Most areas of Puget Sound will reopen for recreational crab fishing in October, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Winter crab openings were approved by fishery managers after summer catch assessments by WDFW indicated more crab are available for harvest, said Rich Childers, shellfish manager for the department.

Areas opening to sport crabbing on Oct. 7 include Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) and the portion of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) north of the Hood Canal Bridge to a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele point.

Eight more areas will open to sport crabbing Oct. 15, including marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Tatoosh-Bonilla line), 5 (Sekiu), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), the remainder of 9 (Admiralty Inlet), and 10 (Seattle, Bremerton). In each area, recreational crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31.

Maps and descriptions of the two portions of marine area 9 are on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/cr ... .php?id=16" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WDFW managers are still evaluating summer harvest information for marine areas 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) and 13 (South Puget Sound). Winter sport opportunity in these areas may be announced at a later date.

The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. Additional information is available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All Dungeness crab caught in the late-season fishery must be recorded on winter catch cards, which are valid through Dec. 31. Winter cards – free to those with crab endorsements – are available at license vendors across the state.

Winter catch reports are due to WDFW by Feb. 1, 2017. For more information on catch record cards, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab/crc.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One thing I did not know about winter crabbing, since I've never tried it, is if you had a summer license for crabbing, all you have to do is go and get the winter license from whomever you want to issue it (I use the hardware store). I was not aware that you pay once for the whole year, even though it's a different season, but you have to get the winter ticket.

Another words, your crabbing license is good for both summer and winter, however, you need to get a new catch card and license for the winter season. I hope this was worded correctly and makes sense.

Don't forget to submit your catch card, however! I forgot last year (I was out of the country) and I got that $10 fine!

Did some crabbing many years ago, but I know things change. I'm planning a crabbing trip after July 1st but have no idea where to go at this point in time. We have a 175 Alunacraft that I have just installed a pot puller on, and 3 traps....help?

So far, I have not seen any good reports for dungeness except on the coast. The red rock crab seem to be doing fair though.

In general, the further north you go, the better it will be.

Roughly where do you live Craig?

Also, be aware: If there is a state government shut down, it will all be closed, July 1.

Absolute zoo out there today, even my out of the way honey hole looked like it had a few hundred pots in it. I wouldn't be surprised if the recreational quota is reached earlier than the scheduled close date.