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.14 General
The big general rules section. Recreational: no crabbing Wednesdays in the Chesapeake (except pots, dipnets, handlines from property), can't sell recreational catch. Commercial: no working Sundays or Mondays unless you declared intent at license renewal or a holiday override applies. Holiday override: Sun/Mon open if a state/federal holiday falls on it, on the preceding Saturday, or if that Sun/Mon precedes a Tuesday–Friday holiday. Female crabs must be stored separately with strict per-container limits. The Secretary can modify rules with 48-hour website notice.
A. Recreational. (1) Except for crab pots from private property, dipnets, or handlines, recreational crabbing gear cannot be used on Wednesdays in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. (2) When state/federal holidays fall on Wednesday or Thursday, recreational crabbing is permitted that Wednesday. (3) Crabs caught recreationally cannot be offered for sale or sold. (4) Recreational crabs cannot be knowingly purchased. (5) Licensed fishing guides may possess unlimited soft crabs or male peeler crabs for fishing purposes. (6) Commercial licensees may catch crabs recreationally without paying recreational fees, with the same restrictions. B. Commercial — General. (1) Commercial licensees cannot work Sundays/Mondays unless they: declare intent, receive alternate day approval, work as authorized user on designated vessel, or assist as unlicensed crew. (2) Those granted alternate days off cannot work those alternate days. (3) Declarants may work Sunday/Monday if: state/federal holiday falls on that day or preceding Saturday, or precedes a weekday holiday. (4)–(6) Female hard crabs must be kept separately in matching containers. (7) Possession limit: six mature female hard crabs per container smaller than a barrel, or 13 mature female hard crabs per barrel. (8)–(14) Additional provisions covering LCC licensing, female catch limits by license type, Potomac/Virginia crabs, float dimensions, and vessel-only commercial crabs. C. Intent Declaration. Procedures for declaring Sunday/Monday work intent. D. Alternate Closed Days. Procedures for requesting alternate closed days. E. Size Restrictions. Minimum size limits for hard crabs. F. Limited Harvester Licenses. Special provisions for limited commercial licenses. G. Secretary Authority. The Secretary may modify catch limits, seasons, or other provisions via 48-hour public notice on the Department website.