The Potomac River crabbing season, sizes and commercial pot, harvest and time limits for the Potomac River Fisheries Commission are as follows:
Crab Season (open) |
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Crab Pot Season: |
April 1 through November 30 |
Trotlines & Dip Nets: |
April 1 through November 30 |
Peeler Traps: |
May 1 through June 30 |
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Hard Crabs: |
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Males and Immature Females: |
April 1 through November 30 |
Mature Females: |
April 1 through November 30 |
Soft and Peeler Crabs: |
May 1 through October 30 |
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Crab Size Limits It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, keep in floats, or have in possession any:
(1) hard crabs, except mature female crabs, less than 5 ¼” inches. |
Effective July 10, 2008; all hard males, hard females, peelers and soft shell crabs shall be kept separate from each other.
River Wide Female Crab Harvest Limits for Management Year 2021-2022 |
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Crab Pot Size: |
Maximum number of bushels allowed: |
300 |
12 bushels |
400 |
16 bushels |
500 |
20 bushels |
Commercial Pot Limits: 285, 380, and 475
Commercial Time Limits: It shall be unlawful for any person to take or catch crabs between sunset and one hour before sunrise, or to land or unload crabs earlier than sunrise or later than sunset.