SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlue Crab regulations in Delaware
Shellfish · Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season
Blue Crab size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | 5 inch minimum | 1 bushel |
Notes
- Pots: March 1 - November 30. Other gear year-round.
- Fishing license required.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Pots: March 1 to November 30; other gears Open Year RoundA fishing license is required to crab in all waters of the State of Delaware.
- Size
- Peeler - 3 inch minimumSoft-shell - 3½ inch minimum Hard-shell - 5 inch minimum The measurement is taken from the left point of the hard shell to the right point of the hard shell.
- Limit
- 1 bushel
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the blue crab
Species of crustacean
Callinectes sapidus, commonly known as the blue crab, Atlantic blue crab, or, regionally, the Maryland blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally.
Read more about Callinectes sapidus on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
All 196 Delaware species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Blue Crab in Delaware?
5 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.
How many Blue Crab can you keep per day in Delaware?
1 bushel.
When is Blue Crab season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Blue Crab a keeper today?
A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 5 inches, with 1 bushel.