Those planning a trip to Hood Canal can get a jump start on the Dungeness crab fishery that begins more than two weeks sooner than expected.
State Fish and Wildlife has announced crab fishing will open in Hood Canal beginning Monday, June 15 after test fisheries indicated crabs have reached ideal hard-shell condition.
Crabbing will resume Thursday, June 18, and then be open on a Thursday to Monday schedule each week through Sept. 7.
The original opening date was supposed to be July 2 when other areas in Puget Sound also open for crabbing.
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Right now only southern Puget Sound south of the Narrows Bridge is open for crabbing, and some areas have been fairly good since the season began on June 1.
The daily limit is five male Dungeness crab, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6 ¼ inches. Anglers may also keep up to six red rock crab daily, and must be at least 5 inches across.
Gear may not be set or pulled out of the water from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. All shellfish gear must be removed from the water on closed days.
Once crabs are retained anglers must record their catch on catch record cards immediately.