Crab season on the West Coast generally runs from November or December to late August or early September. It is closed in the fall to protect soft-shelled crabs. In California the recreational season opened on a Saturday in early November 2019, while the commercial opening, scheduled for November 15, was delayed to protect whales from entanglement.
Delays are also caused by domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by algal blooms. In November 2019 state health officials advised recreational crabbers not to eat the viscera of crab caught between Point Reyes and Pillar Point, and noted that cooking does not remove the toxin.
The first six weeks of the season see the bulk of the catch. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for current dates before heading out.
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