Oregon · Northern Oregon Coast
DUNGENESS CRAB FISHING
IN GARIBALDI
Garibaldi is an excellent destination for dungeness crab fishing, with peak season in January, December and good catches in February, March. Book a charter and target dungeness crab with local experts.
About Dungeness Crab Fishing in Garibaldi
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 — Garibaldi
Month-by-month availability for dungeness crab in Garibaldi, OR.
How to Catch Dungeness Crab in Garibaldi
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 Garibaldi
Top spots where local captains target dungeness crab and other inshore species.
Tillamook Bay
Tillamook Bay is one of Oregon's most productive estuaries, spanning over 13 square miles of tidal flats, channels, and oyster bars that hold Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and Dungeness crab. The bay's extensive eelgrass beds support massive populations of perch and flounder.
Ghost Hole
The Ghost Hole is a deep channel section in Tillamook Bay where Chinook salmon and steelhead stage before pushing into the tributary rivers, making it one of the bay's most concentrated fishing spots. Trolling herring or spinners through the hole produces consistent catches during fall salmon season.
Memaloose Point
Memaloose Point in Tillamook Bay is a tidal flat and channel complex where Chinook salmon, perch, and flounder hold along the deeper edges during tidal transitions. The point's eelgrass beds and oyster bars create diverse habitat that supports productive light-tackle fishing.
Garibaldi Boat Basin
Garibaldi's protected boat basin and adjacent docks hold perch, flounder, and crab around the pilings and submerged structure. The basin's position near the bay mouth means salmon pass through during migration, and the commercial fishing harbor provides accessible dock-fishing.
Other Species in Garibaldi
More fish you can target while visiting Garibaldi.
Dungeness Crab Fishing in Garibaldi — FAQ
The peak months for Dungeness Crab fishing in Garibaldi are January, December. During these months, Dungeness Crab are most active and abundant in the Garibaldi area.
Dungeness Crab fishing charters in Garibaldi 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 Garibaldi, your captain provides all required Oregon fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Dungeness Crab regulations in Oregon 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 Garibaldi, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, Pacific Halibut, Coho Salmon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Dungeness Crab in Garibaldi?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your dungeness crab fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes