Alaska · Southeast Alaska
DUNGENESS CRAB FISHING
IN PETERSBURG
Petersburg is a solid destination for dungeness crab fishing, with good fishing in July, August. Book a charter and target dungeness crab with local experts.
About Dungeness Crab Fishing in Petersburg
The Dungeness crab is the signature crustacean of the Pacific Northwest, found in bays and estuaries from Central California to Alaska. Named after Dungeness, Washington, these sweet-flavored crabs are the backbone of the West Coast crab fishery and are caught recreationally using ring nets and crab pots from shore and boat.
Dungeness Crab are the signature crustacean of the Pacific Northwest, named after the small fishing village of Dungeness on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. These sweet-flavored crabs are found in sandy bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters from Central California to Alaska, where they are caught commercially and recreationally in enormous numbers. Dungeness have a wide, fan-shaped carapace that is purplish-brown on top and cream-yellow underneath. They are considered the finest-eating crab species in North America, with sweet, tender white meat that requires minimal seasoning.
Scientific name: Metacarcinus magister
Dungeness Crab Seasonal Calendar — Petersburg
Month-by-month availability for dungeness crab in Petersburg, AK.
How to Catch Dungeness Crab in Petersburg
Techniques & Bait
Recreational crabbing with ring nets or collapsible crab pots baited with chicken, fish carcasses, or turkey legs is the most popular method. Deploy pots in sandy bays, eelgrass beds, and channels in 10-60 feet of water. Check pots every 20-30 minutes for ring nets or every few hours for enclosed pots. Pier and dock crabbing with hoop nets is accessible from shore in many bays. Some anglers catch Dungeness by hand while snorkeling or wading at low tide. Kayak crabbing is growing in popularity.
Recommended Tackle
Crab ring nets, hoop nets, or collapsible crab pots with proper state tags. Heavy line (80-200 lb) for retrieving pots from depth. Crab gauge for measuring legal-size crabs (minimum 5.75-6.25 inches across the carapace depending on state). Bait: chicken legs, fish carcasses, clams. Rubber bands for handling — Dungeness have powerful pinching claws.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Petersburg
Top spots where local captains target dungeness crab and other inshore species.
Wrangell Narrows
Wrangell Narrows is a narrow, winding waterway connecting Frederick Sound to Sumner Strait that holds king salmon, halibut, and rockfish along its 22-mile length. The narrows' complex tidal currents create productive fishing structure along its rocky shoreline and deeper channels.
Petersburg Harbor
Petersburg Harbor provides dock-fishing access where pink salmon, coho salmon, and rockfish hold around the harbor's extensive commercial fishing fleet docks. The harbor serves as the launch point for accessing Frederick Sound and the surrounding productive waters.
Blind Slough
Blind Slough south of Petersburg is a tidal slough holding runs of king salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead in its deeper channels. The slough's road access and protected waters provide accessible fishing near town.
Falls Creek
Falls Creek near Petersburg hosts runs of pink salmon and coho salmon during summer, with the creek's fish ladder providing viewing and fishing access. The creek mouth area in Frederick Sound attracts salmon staging before their upstream migration.
Other Species in Petersburg
More fish you can target while visiting Petersburg.
Dungeness Crab Fishing in Petersburg — FAQ
Dungeness Crab fishing in Petersburg is productive during July, August.
Dungeness Crab fishing charters in Petersburg are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Recreational crabbing with ring nets or collapsible crab pots baited with chicken, fish carcasses, or turkey legs is the most popular method. Deploy pots in sandy bays, eelgrass beds, and channels in 10-60 feet of water. Check pots every 20-30 minutes for ring nets or every few hours for enclosed pots. Pier and dock crabbing with hoop nets is accessible from shore in many bays. Some anglers catch Dungeness by hand while snorkeling or wading at low tide. Kayak crabbing is growing in popularity.
No — when you book a charter in Petersburg, your captain provides all required Alaska fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Dungeness Crab regulations in Alaska include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Dungeness Crab in Petersburg, you may also catch Rockfish, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Dungeness Crab in Petersburg?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your dungeness crab fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes