Tanner Crab
Chionoecetes bairdi
Also known as: Southern Tanner Crab; Snow Crab; Bairdi Crab
Size & Weight
Average Length
4.5"
Max Length
7.8"
Average Weight
1.0 lbs
Max Weight
3.0 lbs
Lifespan
12 years
Habitat
Depth Range
110 - 600 ft
Water Temp
38-45°F
Deep water; mud and sand bottom; Puget Sound depths
Behavior
Spawning Season
Late winter-spring
Migration: Seasonal depth migration - shallow in winter
Diet: Fish; clams; worms; other crustaceans
Fishing Tips
PNW Season
Summer/Winter seasons (WA Puget Sound only)
Techniques: Crab pots; ring nets
Best Bait: Chicken; fish carcass; squid
Eating Quality
Edibility
Good
Sweet; delicate; similar to snow crab
Fun Facts
Long legs relative to body; light brown to greenish brown; white-tipped claws; found in WA only in PNW; 6/day limit 4.5 inch min in Puget Sound
How to Identify
Light brown/greenish shell; long legs relative to body size; slender curved claws with white tips; narrower than Dungeness; 4.5 inch minimum size
Official Resources
Sources: WDFW
Change History (Last updated Feb 02, 2026 at 11:54 AM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02, 2026 11:54 AM | Added image | — | species-110-4b006e66d321e637.jpg | Source: WDFW |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Max Ft | — | 600 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Min Ft | — | 110 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Lifespan Years | — | 12 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Weight | — | 3.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Weight | — | 1.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Length | — | 7.8 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 4.5 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Identification Tips | — | Light brown/greenish shell; long legs relative to body size; slender curved claws with white tips; narrower than Dungeness; 4.5 inch minimum size |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Sources | — | WDFW |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fun Facts | — | Long legs relative to body; light brown to greenish brown; white-tipped claws; found in WA only in PNW; 6/day limit 4.5 inch min in Puget Sound |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Conservation Status | — | Stable |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Flavor Profile | — | Sweet; delicate; similar to snow crab |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Edibility Rating | — | Good |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated PNW Season | — | Summer/Winter seasons (WA Puget Sound only) |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Best Bait | — | Chicken; fish carcass; squid |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fishing Techniques | — | Crab pots; ring nets |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Diet | — | Fish; clams; worms; other crustaceans |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Migration Pattern | — | Seasonal depth migration - shallow in winter |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Spawning Season | — | Late winter-spring |