| Catching Dungeness on the Oregon Coast | | | | you see them both. The measurement of |
| is a year-round sport in the estuaries, | | | | the crab will also determine a keeper. |
| coastal rivers and tidal bays. In | | | | As long as the male crab measures five |
| theDungeness Crab on the Oregon Coast | | | | and three forths inches across the back |
| ocean, crab season is closed from August | | | | of the shell, not including the points, |
| 15th through November 30th. The best | | | | consider him dinner! Now, the adventure |
| weather to go in is mild to sunny | | | | begins! Crabs are usually caught by |
| weather. Sustained rains bring fresh | | | | using crab rings or crab pots. You can |
| water. They are salt-water creatures and | | | | have up to three of these devices per |
| heavy rains force them out to sea | | | | person. Lower the baited (use chicken, |
| because of the sudden lack of salt | | | | fish, turkey, etc) rings or pots into |
| water. To stay on the right side of the | | | | the water, wait about 5 - 7 minutes, |
| law, you need to get yourself a license | | | | pull them up and see what you have. If |
| if you are 14 and over. The licenses are | | | | you come up empty handed, move them to a |
| not that expensive (call the local | | | | different spot and try again. The ideal |
| chamber of commerce for prices) and they | | | | spots are ones with very little current. |
| are available for three day or year | | | | You can leave the crab pots in the water |
| long. This is for both in-state and | | | | for a bit longer than the rings. The |
| out-of-state residents. Legally, you can | | | | local bait shops in town will be able to |
| only keep the males. The females must be | | | | hook you up with the gear you need. Once |
| let go. You can determine a male from a | | | | caught, they need to be cooked as soon |
| female by checking their underside. | | | | as possible, preferably within the hour. |
| Males have thin tail-like piece while | | | | The catch limit is 12 per day. Once you |
| the females have a round, wide piece. | | | | taste a juicy, Dungeness crab, you will |
| It's pretty easy to tell them apart once | | | | think you have died and went to heaven! |