How Many Crab Traps Can One Fisherman Drop?

March 15, 2018

Question: Is there a limit of crab traps a recreational crab fishermen can drop? I personally have 19 crab pots I inherited from my grandfather and want to know if I can use all of them at one time. (Philip)

Answer: There is no limit on the number of crab traps a recreational fisherman can use unless they are on a commercial passenger fishing vessel, in which case the vessel is limited to 60 traps for taking Dungeness crab (CCR Title 14, section 29.85(a)(4)). However, it is unlawful to waste any fish (section 1.87), which includes Dungeness crab (see the definition of “fish” in Fish and Game Code, section 45). That means that you are expected to regularly check all of the traps that you use. Crabs left in traps that are not regularly checked eventually die and can attract more crabs to the trap, both of which could be considered waste of fish.