ODFW release - NEWPORT, Ore. – The commercial Dungeness crab fishery opens Dec. 31 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. Fishermen can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 28 in this area.  ODFW delayed opening the north coast until crab in Long Beach, WA met the 23 percent meat fill criteria. Preseason test results Dec. 13 confirmed crab are well above the criteria.  Targeted to open Dec. 1, Oregon’s ocean commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed or partially opened so consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted.  The 2025-26 commercial crab season is under a fleet advisory that fishing vessels should be vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where whales are foraging or transiting to minimize risk of entanglement.  See ODFW’s web page for more information on this year’s season.