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