November 1st marked the opening season for Dungeness Crab fishing, a sought after food from the Pacific Ocean. However, there are some limitations. Dungeness Crab still cannot be caught north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line. From that line to Lopez Point, Monterey County (Bay Area) crab can be caught but only using nets or snares. Traps are forbidden in this area. To get in on the Dungeness Crab action, you can fish from an ocean pier without a fishing license, bur remember not to use traps (also known as crab pots or baskets). The Pacifica Pier is a popular nearby destination for crabbing. While always a good time, it can be crowded on weekends. Fishing boats can also be chartered for excursions into the Pacific.
If you’d like to stay inside the bay, there is still plenty of opportunity to fish and even crab. Dungeness Crab is prohibited in the SF Bay, as it is a protected birthing area. You can still fish for Rock Crab, as I did a few weekends ago. Red Rock Crab is open year round and has similar attributes to the sought after Dungeness Crab. Torpedo Wharf, located just under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco offers great views and busy crabbing. Simply find a spot, bait and cast your net, wait about 10 minutes and see if you’ve caught anything. After a couple hours there, we had a handful of crabs worth eating. Any crab under 4″ must be thrown back.
Crabbing can be a fun activity with plenty of opportunities in and around the bay. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and seafood. Just remember to follow the rules. Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife for more information on fishing seasons and regulations. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/San-Francisco#dungeness
Photos below were taken by me.
Red Rock Crab (missing one claw)
49ers game with SF Bay in background
Sea Lion
The Northern California Guide 