Homegrown Hillsborough: Stone Crabs

When and where are stone crab claws harvested?
Stone crab claws are harvested in Florida from Oct. 15 to May 1. However, stone crab claws can be bought year-round.

Locally, you can find stone crabs in Hillsborough Bay, Tampa Bay, and along the Gulf Coast.

How are stone crab claws harvested?
Only a single claw is harvested from each stone crab, which the crab can regenerate over time. Leaving them with a claw helps the crabs continue to defend and feed themselves. It is customary to throw a crab back into the water if it only has one claw.

A crab's claw must be at least 2 7/8 inches in size in order to be harvested. An egg-bearing crab must be treated with care and returned to the water with all her claws.

Why is the declawing process so important to harvesting stone crabs?
If improperly declawed, the crab may lose its ability to regenerate its claw. In a worst case scenario, the crab can bleed out and die. The key to correctly declawing a crab is to keep the joint that connects the claw to the crab's body intact. This allows a thin layer of tissue to seal the injury and prevents the crab from being fatally wounded.

How long does it take for a stone crab to regrow its claw?
Though it may only take a year for a crab to regenerate its claw, it can take several years for the claw to grow back to its original size. Older, larger crabs may never fully regrow their claws to their original size.

Do you need a fishing license to catch stone crabs?
Yes, to go crabbing, one must have a Florida recreational fishing license. Commercial crabbers must register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and tag all traps with their registration number and personal contact information.

What's the best way to eat stone crab claws?
Claws are usually steamed and enjoyed hot or chilled, either spritzed with citrus juice or dipped in butter or mustard sauce. Since the meat is sweet and flavorful on its own, claws are just as yummy when eaten plain.