November 4, 2026 — California’s commercial Dungeness crab season will remain closed in the northern part of the state until at least Jan. 1, 2027, as fishery managers respond to humpback whale entanglements.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the delay Oct. 30, citing the number of humpback whales entangled in fishing gear this year. The department said postponing the commercial opener will give whales more time to migrate out of California waters before crab gear is deployed.