Alaska · Southeast Alaska
DUNGENESS CRAB FISHING
IN SITKA
Sitka is a solid destination for dungeness crab fishing, with peak season in August and good catches in July, September. Book a charter and target dungeness crab with local experts.
About Dungeness Crab Fishing in Sitka
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 — Sitka
Month-by-month availability for dungeness crab in Sitka, AK.
How to Catch Dungeness Crab in Sitka
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 Sitka
Top spots where local captains target dungeness crab and other inshore species.
Sitka Sound
Sitka Sound is a vast protected waterway on Baranof Island's western shore where king salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, halibut, and rockfish concentrate among hundreds of rocky islets and reefs. The sound's incredible diversity of habitat supports what many consider the finest multi-species fishery in Southeast Alaska.
Crescent Harbor
Crescent Harbor in downtown Sitka provides dock-fishing access where pink salmon, coho salmon, and rockfish hold around the harbor structure during summer runs. The harbor serves as the launch point for the area's prolific charter fleet.
Indian River
The Indian River flows through Sitka National Historical Park into Sitka Sound, hosting runs of pink salmon, coho salmon, and Dolly Varden throughout the summer. The river's urban trail access provides some of Alaska's most accessible salmon fishing.
Starrigavan Creek
Starrigavan Creek north of Sitka hosts strong runs of pink salmon and coho salmon during summer and fall. The creek's easy road access and productive fish weir area make it one of the most popular shore-fishing destinations in the Sitka area.
Other Species in Sitka
More fish you can target while visiting Sitka.
Dungeness Crab Fishing in Sitka — FAQ
The peak months for Dungeness Crab fishing in Sitka are August. During these months, Dungeness Crab are most active and abundant in the Sitka area.
Dungeness Crab fishing charters in Sitka 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 Sitka, 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 Sitka, you may also catch Pacific Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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