WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Winter crabbing is getting underway across the waters of Whatcom and San Juan counties.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says starting Oct. 1, recreational crabbers can once again drop their pots throughout Marine Area 7, including the San Juan Islands, Bellingham Bay and the Strait of Georgia.

The winter fishery runs seven days a week through Dec. 31.

Crabbers can keep up to five male Dungeness crab per day, provided they meet size and hard-shell requirements.

WDFW is also reminding anglers to submit their summer crab catch reports by Oct. 1.

Those who fail to report, even if they caught no crab, will pay a $10 penalty when purchasing a 2027 Puget Sound crab endorsement.