Dungeness Crab Adventures at the Boardwalk Lodge

Alaska is known for its wild salmon runs and towering forests, but beneath the surface of its cold coastal waters lives another prize: Dungeness crab.

These large, sweet-tasting crabs are a favorite for seafood lovers and a fun catch for visitors to Prince of Wales Island. Guests often drop pots in the morning and return in the evening to a full trap and a fresh dinner. It's a fun way to break up fishing days and bring something different to the table.

Dungeness Crab Season: Best Time to Crab in Southeast Alaska

🌞🦀 Summer Brings the Best Conditions

You can crab year-round in Southeast Alaska, but summer into early fall is the most popular time. From June through September, the weather is milder, the seas are calmer, and access is easier. The calm summer conditions allow for safer boating and more comfortable days on the water. Crabs are still active, and guests at Boardwalk Lodge often add crabbing to their fishing itinerary during these peak months.

What Is a Dungeness Crab?

The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a large, brownish-purple crab named after the Dungeness Spit in Washington state, where they were first harvested commercially. They are one of the most sought-after crab species on the West Coast thanks to their size and sweet, buttery meat.

Dungeness crabs have a broad, oval shell that can grow up to 10 inches across, though legal size in Alaska is generally a bit smaller. They have five pairs of legs, including two large claws, and a hard exoskeleton that protects their soft body.

Their life cycle includes several molting stages, where they shed their shell to grow. A crab might molt many times before reaching legal size, which is why Alaska has rules in place to protect smaller and soft-shelled crabs from being harvested too early.

Dungeness Crab Habitat Around Prince of Wales Island

The waters surrounding Prince of Wales Island offer ideal Dungeness crab habitat. These crabs prefer sandy or muddy bottoms, where they can burrow and hunt for food like clams, worms, and small fish. They're often found in calm bays, estuaries, and the shallow waters along the coastline.

Some of the best local spots include Kasaan Bay, Thorne Bay, and small inlets along the eastern edge of the island. These areas provide the right mix of depth, shelter, and food. Crabs are usually found from just a few feet of water out to about 300 feet, though most sport crabbing happens in less than 100 feet.

Crabbing is available throughout much of the year in Southeast Alaska, but summer into early fall is the most comfortable time to get out and drop a pot. Warmer weather and calmer seas make it easier for Boardwalk Lodge guests to enjoy the experience.

How to Catch Dungeness Crab

Catching Dungeness crab is simple, fun, and great for all ages. The most common way to crab in Alaska is by using a crab pot—a wire cage baited with something smelly and lowered to the ocean floor.

Gear You’ll Need:

• A crab pot or ring net

• Buoy with your name and address

• Rope line and bait cage

• Bait: fish heads, chicken parts, or squid work best

After you bait the trap, drop it into 20 to 80 feet of water and let it soak for several hours. Some anglers leave pots overnight. When you return, you haul the pot up and check your catch. If the crab are legal-sized males, you can keep them. Otherwise, they must be released immediately.

Tips for Success:

1. Place your pots on a flat bottom—not rocky terrain.

2. Check your pots at slack tide when the current is slow.

3. Always label your buoy clearly and follow state gear rules.

4. Don’t overcrowd one area; give each pot room.

If you don’t have your own equipment, Boardwalk Lodge offers guided crabbing outings where we handle the gear and help you check your catch.

Dungeness Crab Behavior and Molting

Like halibut, Dungeness crabs are bottom-dwellers that move slowly across the seafloor in search of food. While not aggressive by nature, they can be territorial and are often found bunched up in productive feeding zones. They’re most active at night, but you can catch them at any time of day.

One important part of their life cycle is molting. When a crab molts, it sheds its hard outer shell and grows a new one. During this stage, it’s soft and vulnerable to predators. Soft-shell crabs are legal to catch in some areas, but it’s discouraged because they have less meat and need time to rebuild.

You can tell a soft-shell crab by its bendable shell and dull color. These should always be gently released so they can finish hardening and survive to molt again.

Crabbing Rules and Regulations in Southeast Alaska

Before you drop a pot, make sure you understand the rules. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages shellfish harvests with regulations that protect crab populations and ensure fair access.

Here’s what you need to know for recreational crabbing near Prince of Wales Island:

License Required: Anyone 16 or older must have a valid Alaska sport fishing license to catch crab.

Legal Size: Male Dungeness crab must be at least 6.5 inches across the carapace (measured in a straight line).

Keep Males Only: You must release all females, which can be identified by their wide, rounded abdominal flap. Males have a narrow, pointed flap.

Daily Limits: Most of Southeast Alaska allows you to keep 3 to 6 male crab per person per day, depending on the specific area.

Escape Mechanism: Pots must include a biodegradable escape cord to prevent ghost fishing if lost.

Gear Marking: Buoys must display the harvester’s full name and address.

Always ask your guide to make sure no last-minute changes are in effect.

Enjoying Dungeness Crab at Boardwalk Lodge

Catching Dungeness crab is only part of the experience. Our chefs prepares your fresh catch, often serving crab alongside locally caught halibut or salmon.

Boardwalk Lodge guides help you set and pull crab pots during your saltwater fishing trips. Once back at the lodge, the team handles cleaning and cooking, so you get a hot, delicious meal at the Slacktide Grill.

Guests usually drop pots at the start of the day and check them on the return trip. That simple addition turns a regular fishing day into something more memorable, ending with crab dinner and water views.

Why Crabbing Enhances Your Alaska Trip

Dungeness crab is one of the tastiest treasures in Southeast Alaska. They're easy to catch, fun to cook, and offer a great way to connect with the region’s rich marine life. Around Prince of Wales Island, the crabbing is good, the scenery is stunning, and the experience is unforgettable.

If you’re planning a trip to Boardwalk Lodge, don’t miss the chance to go crabbing. It’s one more way to enjoy the wild beauty—and flavors—of coastal Alaska.