Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
FR Crabe des neiges · ES Cangrejo de las nieves · DE Schneekrabbe
Also known as: Opilio CrabCrabe des NeigesCangrejo de las NievesCangrejo de las nievesCrabe des neigesSchneekrabbe
BenthicBoat
CrustaceanDeepwater
Score
—
Prime time
Regulated seasons
Depth
50–300m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jan–MarGood Apr–Dec
Depth range
50–300mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering60%
Findr bio
Slim-legged cold-water specialist — I don't bulk like my king cousins, but stack my clusters on a plate and you'll forget I was ever small.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquid
Diet
BivalvesPolychaete wormsBrittlestarsCrab
Effective techniques
Bottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
Slack waterFlooding tide
My legs run long and slender, built for scuttling cold seafloors — crack a cluster of them and you'll see why I'm a commercial fishery star.
Field notes
Where to find them
Cold North Atlantic/Pacific deep water
Where they hang out
Deep offshore, 50–200+ m
Prime time
Regulated seasons
Tide game
Low
What they're into
Baited pots with fish scraps
Temperature vibe
Cold-water specialist
Fave weather
Needs stable seas — remote, exposed grounds
Fun fact about me
Cold-water grower — I take my sweet time reaching full size.
Dinner material?
10/10Excellent eating
Play by the rules
Strict seasons, permits and quotas — check state/federal rulesState/federal fisheries agency (e.g. ADFG, NOAA, DFO)
Looking after them
Not Evaluated