Winter Crabbing & Canoeing in the Salish Sea
Prep your butter and drop your pots: fresh crab is one of the true delights of winter in the Northwest.
The Salish Sea is perfect for getting your crustacean on, not mention traveling by man-powered boat — just as people have been doing for millennia. The saltwater is brisk and fills your lungs.
We have salt sea and a steep drop off just off the coast of Seattle NorthCountry: the perfect environment for savory crabs.
A few caveats. Before you go, be sure to get a proper crabbing license and that your zone is open for crabbing. Also, make sure that you can observe appropriate boat launch rules and respect private beaches. Wear a life jacket and make sure that other boats can see you — especially in grey, foggy winter conditions.
Here are your best bets for catching Dungeness and red rock crab. Drop your pots and prep your garlic and butter: things are about to get delicious.
Edgewater Beach - Mukilteo
It’s shallow enough to ease a canoe into this quiet inlet, but after a few moments of rowing you emerge into the
Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach - Mukilteo
this park has a proper boat launch as well as floating docks, making it easy to drop your Coleman in the waves.
Kayak Point - Stanwood
A favorite place for SUP paddle boarders, Kayak Point has nice shallow water so you can launch easily and row out to the where the waters deep enough for those delicious crabs.
Everett Waterfront - Everett
Ho to the largest saltwater boat launch in Snohomish County, the Everett Waterfront is arguably the best place to put in.
