Washington crabbing season: What to know and what not to do this summer

Washington’s summer crabbing season begins Thursday, with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) saying it should resemble last year but with notable differences already appearing this season. The season runs July 2 to Sept. 7, Thursdays through Mondays, across Marine Areas 4 (Neah Bay) and 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point), plus Areas 6, 8-1, 8-2, and 9 (Admiralty Inlet). Additional openings apply: Marine Area 7 South is open July 16 to Sept. 28, while Area 7 North typically opens mid-August. Marine Area 10 (between Seattle and Bremerton) opens July 5 to Sept. 7 on Sundays and Mondays, and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma to Vashon Island) runs July 5 to Aug. 17 on Sundays and Mondays. WDFW warns that Hood Canal (Marine Area 12 north of Ayock Point) has closed zones due to paralytic shellfish poisoning, while reminders also include watching for floy-tagged crabs tagged for a July study.