CA Fish & Game Code Section 8278

(a)

Except as otherwise provided, no Dungeness crab less than six and one-quarter (614) inches in breadth, and no female Dungeness crab, may be taken, possessed, bought, or sold, except that not more than 1 percent in number of any load or lot of Dungeness crabs may be less than six and one-quarter (614) inches in breadth but not less than five and three-quarters (534) inches in breadth.

(b)

Dungeness crab shall be measured by the shortest distance through the body from edge of shell to edge of shell directly from front of points (lateral spines).