1. POINT LOOKOUT AREA: One of the earliest crabbing sectors in Maryland. If it's a warm spring and water temperatures rise early, the first of the crabs are seen in May. Very popular crabbing area among those who camp at Point Lookout State Park. There are boat launching facilities within the park. Some prefer to crab from the causeway or wade the waters of the lake and skim crabs. The state park is at the end of Route 5.

2. SMITH CREEK: Another popular early crabbing area. Many people crab from the docks at Scheible's Fishing Center. Rowboats and outboard skiffs are available. This is a very popular area for skimming crabs from the surface in fate summer. Pick a calm day to cruise along the edge of the channel and near the grasses for crabs swimming on the surface. A small outboard is all that's needed to pull alongside them, then dip them with a very long handled crab net. Many crabbers prefer to use collapsible crab traps from the pier, or skim crabs from the surface of pier waters at night. The dock's bright lights attract the crabs to the top but you've got to be very fast to get them.

3. FISHING BAY: This whole area is considered very good for crabbing, usually by mid May. Boats are available in the area, and there is a marina and launching ramp at Slaughter Creek where the bridge goes over to Taylors lsland.

4. SOLOMONS: Crabs move well up into the Patuxent, but most of the activity is near Solomons where rowboat rentals are available, also launching ramps. The Patuxent is also a very good area for taking soft crabs during periods of the full moon.

5. PATUXENT RIVER: This sector above Solomons has fairly good crabbing in normal years. Boats can be rented in the Broome's Island area, and there are launching facilities at Clark's Landing, off Route 547 near Hollywood, also Forest Landing, at Cuckold Creek, off Route 245.

6. ANNEMESSEX RIVER: Also a good area for soft and peeler crabs. Those who camp at Jane's Island State Park frequently crab the Annemessex. There are excellent launching facilities at Somers Cove Marina, in Crisfield. There are also launching facilities at Coulbourne's Creek, both off Route 413, and there is the County Wharf-launching area, also off Route 413 near Crisfield.

7. MANOKIN RIVER: Four launching areas near crabbing waters. They are the County Wharf, off Route 627 at Champ; the County Wharf, off Route 361, at Rumbley; Faimont Ramp and Frenchgown Ramp, both off Route 361, near Fairmont.

8. CHESAPEAKE BEACH: A good crabbing area from the piers, docks and pilings. Some also taken from the jetties. Launching facilities and rowboats for crabbing are available at Stinnett's pier in nearby North Beach.

9. TILGHMAN ISLAND: Fairly good crabbing near here on the bay and Choptank River sides. Bats can be launched.

10. POPLAR ISLAND: Good crabbing in waters all around the island. Most crabbers set out from Sherwood or Tilghman Island.

11. CHOPTANK RIVER: Fairly good crabbing in much of the river. Crabs start running well in upper sectors of the river by late May. There is a big municipal launching ramp for those who want to put their own boat over in the Cambridge sector. There are many other launching ramps on the Choptank. The Oxford area is a good bet. Launching and boat rentals are available there.

12. MILES RIVER: Crabbing starts well on about Memorial Day. Boats can be launched at Miles River Bridge, Route 370, near Easton or at St. Michaels Harbor, at St. Michaels.

13. WYE RIVER: Probably Maryland's best known crabbing area and famed for the big Wye River crabs, also good for soft and peeler crabs. There is an excellent launching ramp and large fleet of boats available at the end of Wye Landing Road, off Route 662 south of Wye Oak.

14. COX CREEK: A very good crabbing area in Eastern Bay. Boat launching facilities are available at Romancoke. Boat rentals and launching also available at Kent Narrows.

15. CRAB ALLEY BAY: Fittingly named is this popular crabbing area, also in Eastern Bay. Use Crab Alley Marina for launching or boat rentals.

16. SOUTH RIVER: The sector near the Route 2 bridge is a very good bet. Launching facilities are located at Gambrill's Pier, Selby Bay, and Woodland Beach Marina, at Glebe Creek.

17. SEVERN RIVER: Another good crabbing area. Some can be taken from the bulkheads at the municipal pier, in Annapolis. See Boat Launching Guide for ramps.

18. LOVE POINT: Overlooked by many crabbers, but a fairly good area. Boats can be launched at Castle Marine or at Knapps Narrows Marina, off Route 50. Rentals available at Kent Narrows.

19. SWAN POINT: Fairly good crabbing. Boats and launching facilities available at Rock Hall.

20. QUAKER NECK: A well known Chester River area. Boats can be launched at Cliffs City, south of Route 289, or at Centreville Landing,. on the Corsica, off Route 304.

21. KINGSTOWN: Many crabs are taken in this upper Chester River Area. In late summer they can be caught from the bridge at Chestertown. Boat launching facilities are at Kibler's Marina, in Chestertown.

22. NORTH POINT: Good crabbing in the summer around the old barges off Bay Shore Park. Boat launching and rentals available at the end of Miller Island Road.

23. HART~MlLLER ISLAND: Good summertime crabbing on the bay-side and Back River side. Same launching and boat rental facilities as for North Point.

24. STONEY AND ROCK CREEKS: These creeks on the west side of the Patapsco River, opposite Bethlehem Steel, offer fairly good crabbing from June through much of August. The crabs usually aren't big, but are plentiful. Launching areas on both creeks, off Fort Smallwood Road.