Yeah the offices here used to hand out tools like these plastic pincers or just a ruler back in the day if you were diving or caging for lobsters or crabs. Or abalone for that matter before that hobby was quickly curtailed by the state wildlife office. You're asked to avoid taking small ones and big ones. The big ones mate far more than regular adult ones. That's my general understanding of it.Mini Season - as in just two days (per my post) vs. 8 months.
Sizewise there's a specific minimum (3" carapace, and you have to have some kind of measuring instrument with you). Most are around 1.5 to maybe 2 lbs for a larger-ish, though there are monsters out there 2-3x that size
Stuff like crayfish/crawfish are considered an invasive species here, I believe. There is no size regulation and no limit on how many you can take. You can find them at high altitude near the mountains in natural lakes. I think they taste best there. Crayfish/crawfish are a huge issue in the South West because dumb people released them into the wild. The same goes for plecko catfish that were original kept as aquarium fish. Each state has really simple fishing laws. For certain species, you must immediately dispatch it if keeping it. This prevents transport to another area that may mess up the natural flora and fauna. Some fish are limited based on whether you're north or south of a latitude line outlined in the regs book. It's a lot of laws, but they rarely ever change. Learn them once or just what you plan to fish for and you're good to go. Geoducks are very limited, but the state of Washington has no bag limit. We know a couple up there who go whenever they can during the prime season. You ever try shark?
I always saw fishing as a way to disconnect from reality and become one with nature. Leave your troubles on pause and take in the beauty that is the world.