2026 marks the first year crabbers can report catch digitally via the new MyWDFW mobile application.
OLYMPIA – The last day of Puget Sound summer recreational crab season is Sept. 7 for most areas, which means it is almost time for crabbers to submit their summer Puget Sound Dungeness paper or electronic crab catch record card (CRC/eCRC) to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
If mobile licensing customers reported their catch directly to the MyWDFW mobile application while in the field throughout the season, they have already fulfilled their summer crab reporting requirements. Reporting is required for all Puget Sound areas for Dungeness crab kept through Sept. 7. Anyone fishing for Dungeness crab in Puget Sound must submit their summer catch report between Sept. 8 and Oct. 1, regardless of whether any Dungeness crabs were kept. Crabbers who do not submit their catch reports by Oct. 1 will be assessed a $10 non-reporting penalty when purchasing a 2027 Puget Sound crab endorsement.
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“This reminder comes as WDFW fishery managers are seeing decreases in CRC returns in recent years,” said Don Velasquez, WDFW crustacean biologist. “This information is crucial to managing Dungeness crab and providing consistent recreational crabbing opportunities in Puget Sound.”
Over the last two years, 43% of summer crab CRC holders have reported their Dungeness crab catch. WDFW fishery managers note that the new option to record catch on an eCRC may improve reporting rates. Currently, about 32% of people who bought a Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement have opted to use the eCRC instead of paper.
How to report summer crab catch: paper or electronic options
Beginning in the 2026–27 license year, crabbers may choose from multiple methods to report their catch. Regardless of the method they choose, crabbers need to submit their catch whether they retained crab or not.
Paper licensing customers
- Paper licensing customers can submit their paper CRCs to WDFW by mail to: CRC Unit, P.O. Box 43142, Olympia, WA 98504-3142.
- Paper licensing customers can also submit their data online by:
- Logging into the WDFW online licensing system, also referred to as WILD.
- Selecting “Harvest Reporting” on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Selecting “Summer crab” report.
- Entering catch and selecting “Submit.”
Mobile licensing customers
For mobile licensing customers who have harvested crab this season: The MyWDFW and Fish Washington mobile applications feature functionality to ensure crabbers can report their catch directly while in the field, using the following steps. If mobile licensing customers have already completed these steps, no additional action is required.
- Immediately upon harvesting crab, navigate to the “Home” page in the MyWDFW mobile app.
- Select the “Add catch/harvest” section at the top of the home page.
- Scroll to find the correct associated active catch card and select “Add catch.”
- Fill out the required information and click submit. Note: WDFW reminds eCRC users to confirm their submission once they return to cell service or are connected to Wi-Fi to ensure they have successfully submitted any catch they reported while offline. While the Fish Washington mobile app syncs automatically when service returns, MyWDFW users must be in service and toggle “Field Mode” off via the app’s upper right menu. To see reported catch within the MyWDFW mobile app, select “View” under the catch card.
For mobile licensing customers who did not harvest crab this season but have a catch record card: These licensing customers must report their catch, even if they did not retain any crabs. Mobile licensing customers can do this by:
- Logging into the WDFW online licensing system, also referred to as WILD.
- Selecting “Harvest Reporting” on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Selecting “Summer crab” report.
- Entering catch and selecting “Submit.”
Refer to the Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card webpage for additional details.
Two areas remain open for recreational crabbing after Labor Day, including Marine Area 7 South (San Juan Islands/Bellingham) and Marine Area 7 North (Gulf of Georgia). Both areas are open to crabbing Thursdays to Mondays through Sept. 28. All Dungeness crab kept in both areas after Sept. 7 must be recorded on winter CRC/eCRCs.
Winter crab CRC/eCRCs are available through WDFW’s online licensing system and at license dealers across the state but cannot be used until Sept. 8. The winter CRC/eCRCs are free for anyone who already holds a current Puget Sound crab endorsement but must be requested even if a summer CRC was purchased.
Velasquez said WDFW will announce winter crab seasons for Puget Sound this fall, after completing its assessment of the summer fishery.
Recreational crabbers can test their skills at identifying different types of crab in Puget Sound and their understanding of regulations and best practices by taking the WDFW Puget Sound crabber knowledge quiz. For information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, refer to WDFW’s crab seasons and areas webpage.
WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
