Blue Crab regulations in New York

· Shellfish & crabs · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 4.5 inches, with a daily limit of 50.

Blue Crab size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NY Marine & Coastal District	Open year-round	4.5 inch minimum	50 per person per day

Exact NYSDEC wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: Hard shell 4 1/2"; Soft shell 3 1/2"; Peeler/Shedder 3"
Limit: 50
statewide — as printed: “Blue crab Hard shell 4 1/2" Soft shell 3 1/2" Peeler/Shedder 3" 50 All year”

Source: NYSDEC, captured 2026-10-04 (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.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NYSDEC, not Wikipedia.

All 48 New York species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Blue Crab in New York?

4.5 inch minimum in New York state waters.

How many Blue Crab can you keep per day in New York?

50 per person per day.

When is Blue Crab season in New York?

Open year-round.

Is my Blue Crab a keeper today?

A blue crab is a keeper today if it measures at least 4.5 inches, with a daily limit of 50.