Juneau's king crab fishery closes Monday after a three-crab season

The personal use red and blue king crab fishery in Section 11-A near Juneau closes at 4 pm Monday.

Permit holders got three crab this season, up from one last winter. A 2025 stock assessment put legal male red king crab at 211,573 pounds, above the 200,000-pound threshold that allows a three-crab limit. Fish and Game opened the fishery at noon Aug. 14.

Three is the season limit, not a daily bag: three legal male red or blue king crab in combination per household permit, minimum shell width 7 inches, one pot or two ring nets per vessel.

Only Alaska residents may take part, with a sport fishing license and a free Section 11-A household permit. Anglers under 18 or 60 and older do not need the license.

Households must report their harvest online or return the permit to the Douglas Area Office by Oct. 15. Missing the deadline costs next year's permit.