Dungeness crab is a beloved San Francisco tradition, often served at holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas. San Franciscans can buy fresh Dungeness crab right off the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf, perfect for preparing the crab at home. In past years, the commercial Dungeness crab season has been delayed by weeks due to numerous environmental factors.
Dungeness Crab Season delayed 2026
The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the commercial Dungeness crab season in the San Francisco area will be delayed until at least January 1, 2027. The delays apply to zones 1-5, which stretch from the Oregon and California border to Point Conception near Santa Barbara. The season was pushed back due to humpback whale migration and the number of entanglements during 2026.
“CDFW remains committed to working collaboratively with all sectors across California to protect whale and turtles from entanglements in fishing gear,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel in a recent statement. “Partnerships are more important than ever as we work together to protect endangered whales and turtles and our fishing communities in the face of increasing disruptions from our changing climate.”
While the current opening date for the commercial season is January 1, it is possible it could be pushed back again, so stay tuned for more updates. Recreational crabbing will open in areas starting on November 7, although areas north of Fort Bragg are not open yet due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid.
You can find more information and updates on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.