Free Crabbing Docks & Piers

 we have some pretty plentiful pots of crustacean gold right here in the waters of Oregon. Not only is Dungeness crabbing from public docks super easy – it’s also free. No boat required.

Spring for a shellfish license ($10 for adults), and then drop a pot from dozens of places within three hours of Portland. You can go crabbing year-round, with no fees from public docks and minimal fees from private ones.

The very best months for bay crabbing are late September through November, after the summer molting and before the commercial crabbing season opens in December. However, any month can turn up a catch, and it’s always a fun time with friends or family.