How many months is the Opilio Crab Season?

The opilio crab fishing season runs for seven months in the Bering Sea off Alaska and from two to three months in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Alaskan season typically begins in mid-October and ends in mid-May. The Canadian season typically begins in April and concludes in late June or July.

Historically, the snow crab fishing season in Alaska lasted just two weeks. In 2005, the government extended the season to several months and imposed quotas so that the season finishes as soon as the quotas are reached. The opilio crab has a number of different names, including snow, tanner, queen and spider crab. It is renowned for its sweet taste and relative affordability.