Question - Taking female crabs in MA

[dqwilliams]

I am new to recreational crabbing in Mass and was just reading the regulations.  I have a question about female blue crabs.  Provided they meet the minimum size requirement, are you permitted to keep female blue crabs, just so long as the egg pouch/mesh is not exposed?  Or must all females be released?

[robc22]

You can keep the females in MA.....as long as they are not sponge crabs and of legal size.........

[ducker]

I thought this was the case.

I often toss them back, or before I leave, I'll cull out any females and toss them back depending on how many I've caught in total.

[cedar999]

Are you a MA resident? I ask because I think non-residents are not allowed to crab in MA. Not positive, but worth looking into if you are a RI'er.

[crabbyjim]

must have released at least 20 today all between 6-7 1/2 tempting to take but they just don't seem to have as much meat as a fat jimmy

[Dreampixels]

must have released at least 20 today all between 6-7 1/2 tempting to take but they just don't seem to have as much meat as a fat jimmy

Normally I find the female have muc longer points then the male, they measure large but the body content compared to and equal size male point to point seems smaller most times.