Live Canadian Red King Crab

Red King Crab

Our red king crab is the largest of the Alaskan crabs. While the average size varies year to year, it is in the neighborhood of 6.5 lbs. The majority of red king crab is caught in the Bering Sea/Bristol Bay area. The fishing season is from October 15th until the catch quota is reached, usually by the end of November. Norton Sound Red King crab is a smaller species of red king with an average size of about 2.7 lbs. It is caught in the waters off of Nome and Unalakleet, Alaska. This is the only summertime red king crab fishery which opens between June 15th and July 1st and closes by the end of August.

Blue King Crab

Our blue king crab, once cooked, is often mistaken for red king crab, though smaller in size. They are easily identified by the disproportionately larger right claw. Prior to cooking they have a beautiful almost metallic blue/gold color. The average size is in the 4.5 - 5 pounds range. The blue king crab fishery had been closed for a period of ten years while the Alaska Department of Fish & Game monitored the stocks. It re-opened in 2009. The crabs are caught in the Northern Bering Sea around St. Matthew Island. The fishing season coincides with Bristol Bay red king crab fishery – Oct 15th through the end of November.

Brown (aka Golden) King Crab

Brown king crab size varies from about 5 lbs. in the Aleutians to 6 - 7 lbs. in Southeast Alaska. Their legs are more “tubular” in cross section and much “spinier” than red king crab. Brown king crab is caught in two areas: the Aleutian Islands and Southeast Alaska. The season opens for fishing in Southeast on February 15th and on August 15th in the Aleutians. Depending upon fishing effort, the fishery can last from one to three months.