When Is Crab Season?

It should be no surprise that fresh and in-season crabs are best. The good news? You can get your hands on recently caught crab any time of the year, depending on the type of crab.

Knowing the season for each crab type will help you find—and look forward to—the freshest options, whether you're buying from the fish market or ordering them at a restaurant. Here's when to prepare for crab season in your area and how to make the most of it.

When Is Crab Season?

The primary season for all crab species runs from October to January, when they are often at their largest and populations are highest after spawning. Some regions even stretch crabbing season into July. It depends on the area and specific type of crab to know when the season is and when crabs will be their freshest.

Some of the largest crab-producing states, like Alaska and Maine, start crab season in the fall, around October, and end it as temperatures start climbing in early spring. Some Southern states, such as Florida and South Carolina, have a year-round crab season.

Some states have crabbing seasons during warmer months instead of winter when crabs are more dormant and inactive. Maryland, for example, has a crabbing season that starts in April and ends in December.

Regulations To Know

Before you round up your nets, traps, and buoys, look into your state's fishing season and requirements. Most states list the permitted fishing season for each type of species on fish and wildlife websites. Opening and closing dates, as well as size limits and bag limits, are also listed.

If your state requires a fishing license, make sure you have one for each fisher before hitting the water. Make sure also you don't need an additional license for crab fishing. Some states issue separate licenses for separate species.

Also, keep tabs on changes to season-ending dates. In some states, crab season will shorten if fish and wildlife experts detect a species' population number is too low. Likewise, some states will not open crab season if overfishing threatens the population. Fishing during these windows may be a criminal offense.

When To Eat Crabs

Depending on the variety and location, hard and soft shell crabs might be available, but there are different times when it is best to eat. Here is when to eat hard or soft shell crabs:

Hard Shell Crabs

Early fall is the best time of year to catch and eat hard shell crabs, particularly Maryland Blue Crabs. In September and October, crabs tend to be larger, so each crab contains more weight.

Crab available in supermarkets or restaurants earlier in the season might be crab that did not migrate over the winter.

Soft Shell Crabs

Soft shell crabs are available in five categories: mediums, hotels, primes, jumbos, and whales. Mediums range from 3.5-4 inches, while whales are crab over 5.5 inches, on average.

These crabs tend to be more expensive because there is a short window when a crab sheds its shell for harvesting. This crab season begins in May and ends in September. You can typically purchase these crabs in specialty fish markets.

What Are Some Other Types Of Crab?

Whether at your local market or on the menu of your favorite beach restaurant, you’ll likely find these other types of crab. Some are cooked and frozen right on the boat, like snow and king crabs. Here’s when to look for them:

• Stone Crab: In season from October to May, these Atlantic crabs are caught for their meaty claws and are a Florida specialty. The black-tipped claws are snipped off, and the crabs are returned to the water to regrow.
• Dungeness Crab: This large crab has sweet meat and is harvested in Pacific waters from California to Alaska. The season runs from December through spring.
• Alaskan King Crab: One king crab leg can weigh up to a pound. This giant crab is found in cold Alaskan waters. Its season is in October and November. You’ll find these frozen and ready to heat. Their sweet meat tastes like lobster meat.
• Snow Crab: Also found in cold waters, these large crabs are from the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. The season runs from late fall to early summer. They are sold cooked and frozen. 
• Jonah Crab: This East Coast crab has a thick shell like the Dungeness crab and is available from fall through spring. You’ll typically find them sold as claws or picked meat.

How To Buy Crabs

Crabs should be bought in-season, live or already cooked. When buying live crabs, make sure they are still moving. Do not buy or cook raw crab that is dead. Buy live crabs the day you plan to cook them, and store them in a cooler lined with wet newspaper to keep them cool and moist until cooking time. Cooked crab can be purchased fresh or frozen, and it should be cold. 

How To Cook Crabs

When crab season rolls in, you’ll want to take advantage of it. Luckily, there are lots of ways to cook fresh crab. Here are some restaurant-worthy dishes to try:

• She-Crab Soup
• Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches
• Crab Cakes With Key Lime Mayonnaise
• Crab Boil With Beer And Old Bay
• Creamy Crab Dip