Bodega Bay is a northern California harbor where shore and boat crabbers must distinguish public access, current Dungeness seasons and rock-crab rules. No rule requires anyone to keep 10 Dungeness crab; ten is the recreational Dungeness daily maximum when the season and area are open.
Access planning
Spud Point Marina and harbor facilities
Use only areas explicitly open to public fishing or crabbing. A working marina dock is not automatically a public pier, and California’s public-pier license exemption does not apply everywhere.
Boat crabbing outside the bay
Ocean gear is subject to current Dungeness season dates, depth/area provisions and possible trap restrictions related to whale-entanglement risk. Harbor entrances and coastal weather demand appropriate boats and experience.
Tomales Bay alternative
Miller Boat Launch has a public ramp, accessible dock, shoreline fishing, parking and restrooms and is a documented place to evaluate for crab opportunity under current rules.
Rules that change the trip
Check CDFW’s in-season page for Dungeness opener/closer changes, domoic-acid notices and trap restrictions. Rock crab is regulated separately. Marine protected areas can affect take even when a statewide species season is open.
CDFW San Francisco-area regulations · CDFW in-season changes · Miller Boat Launch
Rules and access context checked August 13, 2026. See the California report.