California Opens Final Section of Humboldt County Dungeness Crab Fishery
The final delayed stretch of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in Humboldt County is now open after state testing confirmed crab meat is safe to harvest, following earlier concerns over elevated domoic acid levels.
State health agencies determined that Dungeness crab caught in waters between the southern boundary of the Reading Rock Marine Protected Areas and Cape Mendocino may be taken for recreational use. While the area is officially open, the California Department of Public Health has issued a health advisory recommending that crabbers remove and discard crab viscera—commonly referred to as the guts—and thoroughly clean crab before cooking.
Following those findings, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife formally opened the remaining delayed portion of the Humboldt County recreational season.
For now, harvest methods are limited due to ongoing whale entanglement concerns. Crab may only be taken using hoop nets, crab snares, or by hand under current trap restrictions in RAMP Fishing Zone 1. Those restrictions are set to lift statewide at 8:01 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2026, allowing all legal recreational gear types.
On the commercial side, the Central Management Area fishery will open Jan. 5, 2026, with a 40% trap reduction to lower whale entanglement risk. The Northern Management Area remains delayed pending additional domoic acid testing, with a potential opening on Jan. 15 under reduced trap limits.
