Oregon’s Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 16, with northern region possible by Dec. 31 if meat levels meet threshold.

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season begins December 16 along the coast from Cape Falcon to the California border, with the northern region near Long Beach, Washington, potentially opening by December 31 if meat fill levels meet the 23% threshold. The bay crab fishery opens the same day and closes December 31. A presoak period starts December 13. Officials urge caution to prevent whale entanglements and emphasize the fishery’s economic importance to coastal communities.