Catching Crabs Both Inside and Outside San Francisco Bay

May 25, 2017

Question: Let’s say I’m in the ocean at Baker Beach in San Francisco and I catch a Dungeness crab. Then I want to go fishing and crabbing nearby at Ft. Point Pier (just inside the bay) or Aquatic Park. Basically, I don’t want to leave my crabs in the car for hours, and I have one bucket with an aquarium pump to keep all the crabs in. Can I bring the bucket with the crab onto that pier or will a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) warden presume I caught it there? And similarly, would leaving it in the parked car be allowed or would they presume it was from that area? (Fred D.)

Answer: “Dungeness crab may not be taken from or possessed if taken from San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay, plus all their tidal bays, sloughs and estuaries between the Golden Gate Bridge and Carquinez Bridge” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.85(a)). CDFW recommends that you first fish in the more restrictive area (the Bay), then move outside the Bay to fish for Dungeness crab to avoid any misunderstandings or extra scrutiny by wildlife officers. But, what you describe is not prohibited, and experienced local wildlife officers will be able to tell the difference between freshly caught crab and those that have been in your bucket for hours.

As Dirty Harry would say  "Are you feeling lucky?"   Some areas, you never see a fish and wild life official, others like McNeal and Pacifica Pier, you see them all the time.   

It's all a matter of luck and what you roll on the savings throw.

However, if you maxed out your speech skill to level 100, you can probably get away with it.   

Maybe take pics of the crab and the background?

Also, if you ever need a crabbing buddy, let me know!

experienced local wildlife officers will be able to tell the difference between freshly caught crab and those that have been in your bucket for hours.

Didn't the guy say he had a pump  = citation

I personally wouldn't count on the discretion of the wildlife officers. One time at Lawson's Landing I brought in a dungeness that was just barely a keeper but definitely legal. Gauge would not go down over the shell. Officer looked at crab, checked it with my gauge a couple of times. Did not believe it was legal despite what the gauge indicated. Took crab out of my sight to his truck to check with his gauge. Came back. Said he couldn't find his gauge (?). Checked again with my gauge. Asked me if I knew how to measure crabs. Really? Finally, after probably 20 minutes, he reluctantly gave me the crab and let me go. I then had to explain to my two young sons why the officer gave me such a hard time. I used the opportunity to explain to them the importance of staying calm when dealing with law enforcement no matter what happens. I don't think you could convince that officer that you caught the crabs outside the bay.