Crab Fishing

• The most common crab in California bays is the Dungeness crab. Fish for Dungeness crab occurs throughout California bay waters including Magdalena Bay, Baja. Other types of crabs are also present. In total, nine species of crabs from the Cancridae family can be found in the state, according to the California Department of Fish and Game.
  
  

Types

• The five main types of crabs in California bays are: Dungeness, slender, red, rock and yellow crabs. The most abundant type is Dungeness, according to the California Department of Fish and Game. Dungeness crab can be distinguished by its sawtoothed edge and white-tipped pinchers on its claws. It has a light reddish brown coloring on its back with a purple hue in its interior. They are distinguished by the characteristic pattern of spots and lighter streaks on their back.
  
  

Gear

• Crab traps and crab pots are used to catch the crabs. Many local anglers build crab traps that are typically circular in shape, about 42 inches in diameter and 14 inches deep. Crab pots are made with coarse mesh webbing and iron hoops.
  
  

Regulations

• Dungeness crabs can be taken from San Pablo Bay and San Francisco Bay including all their estuaries and tidal bays between the Golden Gate Bridge and Carquinez Bridge. Crabbing is allowed in Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino counties from the first Saturday in November through July 30, according to the California Department of Fish and Game. The crab fishing season for all other counties is from the first Saturday in Nov. through June 30. Different regulations apply for red crabs, yellow crabs, slender crabs and rock crabs.
  
  

License

• All anglers age 16 and older must have a fishing license to take any fish including crustaceans in California with the exception of anglers fishing from a public pier in bay or ocean waters. You can purchase a sport fishing license that is valid for a year. Short-term licenses are also available.