Summary of 2002 Recreational Crab Regulations

Recreational Crab Regulations for the Ocean and its Bays

 

SEASON: April 1 - December 15, 2002
  • The current license structure and fees are:
    • $2 for a holder of a Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License
    • $5 for a resident
    • $10 for a non-resident
    • $40 Chesapeake Bay Special Pleasure Boat Sport Fishing License (CBSPBL)
  • A new license for a Recreational Crabbing Boat established at a fee of $15
  • The $40 CBSPBL is valid as a Recreational Crabbing Boat License. The complimentary fishing license issued to the boat owner of a licensed sportfishing boat is valid as the owner's individual recreational crabbing license.
  • Closed Wednesdays - except handlines and dip nets or pots at private piers
  • Recreational crabbers may set recreational crabbing gear and crab from boats:
    • during Apr, Oct, Nov and Dec
      • between 1/2 hour after sunrise to 5:00 PM main Bay
      • between 1/2 hour after sunrise to sunset in tributaries
    • during May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sept
      • between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 5:00PM in the main Bay
      • between 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset in the tributaries of the Bay
  • Minimum Size:

    •  

    INDIVIDUAL CRABBING

      • A license is required of an individual who uses the following gear or takes the following quantity of crabs:
        • Trotline (1200 feet of baited line maximum allowed)
        • 11 to 30 traps or rings
        • Up to 10 eel pots for own bait
        • More than 2 dozen with a limit of 1 bushel of hard crabs
        • More than 1 dozen with a limit of 2 dozen soft crabs or peelers
      • A license is NOT required of an individual who uses only the following gear and takes the following quantity of crabs:
        • 10 or fewer traps and rings
        • dipnets
        • handlines
        • No more than 2 dozen hard crabs
        • No more than 1 dozen soft crabs or peelers

    OWNER OF PRIVATE SHORELINE PROPERTY

      • Creel limits vary depending on whether the crabber is licensed or not - see Individual Crabbing information above.
      • 2 crab pots from a private pier or within 100 yds of shore and attached by line
      • Two cull rings required in upper chamber
        • One measuring at least 2 3/16"
        • One measuring at least 2 5/16"
      • Turtle Reduction Device no larger than 1¾" x 4¾"

    CRABBING FROM A BOAT

      • A recreational crabbing boat may be licensed
        • The fee for a Recreational Crabbing Boat License is $15
      • The owner of the licensed recreational crabbing boat is also issued a complementary statewide Individual Recreational Crabbing License
      • The Chesapeake Bay Special Pleasure Boat Sport Fishing License (fee of $40) is valid as a Recreational Crabbing Boat License.

    CRABBING GEAR

    If the boat is licensed for recreational crabbing by either the Recreational Crabbing Boat License (new at a $15 fee) or the Chesapeake Bay Special Pleasure Boat License or at least one person in the boat possesses an individual recreational crabbing license:

      • 1200 feet of trotline (baited portion)
      • Maximum 30 crab traps or rings
      • Handlines
      • Dipnets

    CATCH LIMITS FOR A LICENSED BOAT:

      • Without any persons in the licensed boat who also possess an Individual Recreational Crabbing License;
        • 1 bushel of hard crabs
        • 2 dozen soft crabs or peelers
      • Owner of the licensed boat in the boat with unlicensed crabbers;
        • 1 bushel of hard crabs
        • 2 dozen soft crabs or peelers
      • If 2 or more licensed persons are in the licensed boat;
        • 2 bushels of hard crabs
        • 2 dozen soft crabs or peelers

    CATCH LIMITS FOR AN UNLICENSED BOAT:

      • Without any licensed persons in the unlicensed boat;
        • 4 dozen hard crabs
        • 1 dozen soft crabs or peelers
      • One licensed crabber in the boat alone or with unlicensed crabbers;
        • 1 bushel of hard crabs
        • 2 dozen soft crabs and peelers
      • If 2 or more licensed persons in the unlicensed boat;
        • 2 bushels of hard crabs
        • 4 dozen soft crabs or peelers

      Special Note: A person less than 16 years of age is exempted from needing a license but, unless they purchase a crabbing license, they are restricted to the same limits as an unlicensed crabber.

      Possession of soft crabs and peelers by anglers and charter boats: No limit for possession of soft crabs and peelers for use as bait for the purpose of sportfishing.

    Click here to view the recreational crab regulations for the ocean and its bays

updated ... May 28, 2002