Setting Day marks the official start of the snow crab fishing season in New Brunswick. It’s the day when fishers head out to sea to set their traps in designated fishing zones, launching weeks of intensive harvesting. This is a highly anticipated event for fishing communities, as snow crab is one of the province’s most valuable seafood exports.
Fishing areas
Snow Crab
New Brunswick's Snow Crab is wild-caught from the pure and icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean!
Snow Crab Fishing seasons
* Dates are approximate.
Region
Dates
New Brunswick
- 12 Mid April - Early June
- 12e Mid April - Early June
Other Provinces
- 12f Mid April - Early June
- 19 Mid June - Mid September
- 20 - 22 Early April - Late May & Mid July - Mid August
- 23 - 24 Early April - End of September
- 24w (4x) Early November - Late March
- 12a Late March - Early June
- 12b Late march - Mid June
- 12c Mid April - Late July
- 13 Early May - Mid August
- 14 Early May - Mid August
- 15 Mid April - Late July
- 16 Early April - Mid July
- 16a Mid April - Late July
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) sets the date each year based on key factors such as ice conditions, crab migration patterns, and sustainability measures. The season typically begins in early spring, but exact dates can vary depending on environmental and regulatory considerations.
Zone 12 is renowned for producing the highest-quality snow crab in the world, thanks to its pristine waters, cold temperatures, and well-managed fishery. This region in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence provides ideal conditions for slow-growing snow crab, resulting in a sweet, delicate taste and firm, meaty texture that sets New Brunswick snow crab apart.
