Lobster is caught all year, so you can always find it. But there is a clear high season, and knowing it helps you get more lobster for less money. Here is how the year breaks down.
The big soft-shell season runs late June through December, with the peak in July through October. That is when the most lobster comes ashore and prices are usually lowest. Hard-shell lobster is at its best in fall and winter. Price tracks supply, so abundant summer means cheaper, scarce winter means pricier.
Summer into fall: peak season
From midsummer through October, lobsters molt into fresh new shells and the catch surges. These soft-shell lobsters are sweeter and easier to crack, hold a little more water, and cost less. This is the season for a lobster bake by the water. The trade-off is that soft-shell lobster does not travel well, so it is best eaten close to where it is landed.
Fall and winter: hard-shell time
As the water cools, hard-shell lobsters come into their own. They pack more meat per pound and ship beautifully, which is why mail-order lobster leans hard-shell. Fewer boats fish in winter, so supply tightens and prices climb. If you want the most meat and you are shipping it, this is your window.
So when should you buy?
If you want value and a local feast, aim for July through November. If you want maximum meat or you are sending lobster across the country, fall and winter hard-shell is the move. Either way, there is no bad time to eat lobster, only different reasons to.
Find lobster in season near you
The best way to eat in-season lobster is where it is landed. Browse every city we have mapped, or start with a coastal capital like Portland, Maine or Boston. Curious about the shell difference? Read soft-shell vs hard-shell lobster, or settle the roll debate with Maine vs Connecticut.
Lobster season: FAQ
When is the Maine season? Soft-shell late June through December, peaking July to October. Hard-shell is best in fall and winter.
Cheapest time to buy? Roughly July through November, when the catch is largest.
Why do prices move? Supply. Lots of summer boats means lower prices. A quiet winter on the water means higher prices.
Eat soft-shell in summer where it lands, and save hard-shell for the colder months and the shipping box. Both have their moment.
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