Question on Taking Sheep Crab

July 31, 2008

Question: My husband and I were fishing for halibut the other day and pulled up a giant sheep crab because the line tangled around his leg. The crab was huge and could have fed a family of four. How big do they have to be to keep? Are they measured like lobster with that special metal ruler? Thank you for any information. (Cindy B.)

Answer: Since sheep crabs are not specifically mentioned in the ocean sport fishing regulations, they fall under the general invertebrate regulations – there is no minimum size limit (Fish & Game Code, Section 29.05.)

However, under Section 29.80, crabs may not be taken on hook and line – the only legal methods of take in southern California (I’m assuming you were fishing in southern California, as that’s where sheep crab are most common) are with a hoop net or by hand. So, you and your husband could not have legally kept a sheep crab that became entangled in fishing line.