Dungeness Crab

Crabbing for Dungeness in Depoe Bay is a popular activity, and for good reason. The nearshore waters provide excellent habitat for these tasty crustaceans. The best time for crabbing is typically during the fall and winter months, after the molting season. Focus your efforts in sandy or muddy areas, often near the mouths of estuaries or bays. A local tip is to use weighted crab traps baited with oily fish like herring or mackerel. Let the traps soak for several hours, or even overnight, for best results. Several public docks and piers around Depoe Bay offer easy access for crabbing, but you can also deploy traps from a boat. Be sure to check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for size limits and bag limits before you start. The Dungeness crab population in this area is generally healthy, providing a consistent harvest for recreational crabbers.