Buy Lobsters Online

If you’ve been hesitant to order lobster because you’re not sure when it’s “in season,” let us put your mind at ease. Thanks to modern fishing practices and refrigeration, you can buy fresh lobster year-round. But that doesn’t mean all months are equal. Understanding lobster season — both natural and regulatory — can save you money and get you better-tasting seafood.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best times to buy lobster, why prices fluctuate, what “lobster season” really means, and how to time your purchase for maximum value.

What Does “Lobster Season” Actually Mean?

Lobster season is not a biological spawning season like you’d see with salmon or oysters. Lobsters are caught year-round in most of their range, particularly in Maine and Atlantic Canada, which supply the vast majority of lobsters to the U.S. market.

Instead of a closed season for the species itself, the “seasons” you hear about are usually:

• Regulatory seasons: Some fishing zones have specific months when traps can be set and pulled. Zone A in Maine, for example, has a slightly different schedule than Zone B.
• Weather seasons: In winter, fewer boats go out due to dangerous conditions, which reduces supply and raises prices.
• Molting seasons: Lobsters shed their shells at certain times of year, which affects meat quality and price.
• Demand seasons: Holidays and summer tourism drive up demand, which affects price regardless of supply.

Understanding these layers is the real key to knowing when to buy.

Summer (June–August): Peak Supply, Best Prices

Summer is the true sweet spot for lobster lovers in the United States. From June through August, the Gulf of Maine warms up, lobsters become more active, and catches hit their annual peak. This is when you’ll see prices at their lowest — sometimes as low as $4–$6 per pound for live lobsters at the dock.

Why prices drop in summer:

• Warm water triggers lobsters to move into shallower coastal waters where traps are more effective.
• Longer daylight hours mean longer fishing days.
• More fishermen are active because the weather is predictable and safe.
• The annual “shed” begins in late spring and runs through summer, increasing the sheer number of legal-sized lobsters in traps.

The catch with summer lobsters: Summer is also the main molting period. Many lobsters caught in June, July, and August are “shedders” or “soft-shells” — lobsters that have recently molted and haven’t fully hardened their new shells yet. Soft-shell lobsters have lower meat yield (the shells contain more water) and the meat can be a bit softer. They’re still delicious, but if you want the densest, firmest meat, you’ll want a hard-shell lobster, which is more common in other seasons.

If you’re planning a summer lobster bake and want the best value for your money, this is the time to get lobster delivered. Just know you might get some soft-shells mixed in.

Fall (September–November): The Hard-Shell Sweet Spot

For many lobster connoisseurs, fall is the absolute best season. By September, most lobsters have completed their molt, their shells have hardened, and they’ve been feeding heavily to fatten up for winter. This produces the highest-quality lobster meat of the year: dense, sweet, and packed into full, heavy shells.

What makes fall special:

• Hard shells everywhere: Nearly all lobsters caught in fall are hard-shells with maximal meat yield.
• Excellent flavor: The meat is firmer and sweeter because the lobsters have been feeding steadily without the energy drain of molting.
• Good prices: Supply is still high from the summer surge, but quality is at its peak. Prices are slightly higher than summer but still very reasonable.
• Shipping advantage: Cooler fall temperatures make shipping live lobsters safer and reduce stress on the animals.

If you want the best possible eating experience, schedule your lobster purchase for September or October. This is prime time for anyone who wants to buy live Maine lobster at its absolute best.

Winter (December–February): High Prices, Limited Supply

Winter is the most challenging time to buy lobster. The Gulf of Maine gets rough, icy, and dangerous. Many fishermen pull their traps for the season, and those who remain fish in deeper, more treacherous waters. Supply drops significantly, and prices climb accordingly.

Winter price range: Expect to pay $8–$12+ per pound for live lobsters in winter, depending on your location and the specific week. The Christmas and New Year’s holiday demand spike also contributes to higher prices.

Is winter lobster good? Yes. Winter lobsters are almost exclusively hard-shells, and the cold water keeps them firm and dense. The meat quality is excellent — some say the cold water makes the meat even sweeter. You just pay a premium for it.

If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve surf and turf or a Valentine’s Day lobster dinner, winter lobster is wonderful — just budget for the higher price.

Spring (March–May): Transition Period

Spring is the most unpredictable lobster season. The weather is improving, and fishermen are starting to get back on the water, but catches are still modest compared to summer. Prices begin to come down from winter highs but haven’t yet reached summer lows.

What to expect in spring:

• Mixed hard and soft shells as molting begins in late spring.
• Prices around $5–$8 per pound — a middle ground.
• Increasing availability of larger lobsters as winter-feeding lobsters are caught.
• Mother’s Day and Easter create short demand spikes.

Spring is a decent time to buy, especially if you want hard-shells and don’t mind paying moderate prices. By late May, you’ll start seeing the first wave of summer pricing.

Lobster Prices by Season: Quick Reference

Season	Price Range (per lb)	Shell Type	Quality Rating	Best For
Summer (Jun–Aug)	$4–$7	Mixed (many soft)	Good value	Large boils, budget buys
Fall (Sep–Nov)	$5–$8	Hard only	Excellent (peak)	Best eating experience
Winter (Dec–Feb)	$8–$12+	Hard only	Excellent (premium)	Special occasions
Spring (Mar–May)	$5–$8	Hard early, soft late	Good	Transition buying

Note that prices are for live lobsters at wholesale or direct-to-consumer levels. Restaurant and retail markups will be higher.

Holiday Demand Spikes to Know

Even within each season, certain weeks see price jumps due to demand. Plan around these if you’re budget-conscious:

• Fourth of July: Huge demand for lobster boils and bakes. Order 1–2 weeks early.
• Labor Day: End-of-summer gathering season. Prices creep up.
• Christmas/New Year’s: Surf and turf demand pushes prices to annual highs.
• Valentine’s Day: Romantic dinners drive lobster tail demand. Live lobsters also see a bump.
• Mother’s Day: Brunch and dinner specials increase demand.
• Super Bowl weekend: Surprisingly big for lobster because of seafood platters and party spreads.

The best strategy: order 10–14 days before a major holiday to avoid the last-minute rush and potential price hikes.

Regional Lobster Seasons Across North America

While Maine dominates the U.S. market, different regions have different seasons for the American lobster (Homarus americanus):

• Maine (Gulf of Maine): Year-round fishing in most zones, but heavy catch June–November. Winter fishing is limited by weather.
• Canadian Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland): Staggered seasons by fishing zone. Most zones fish from spring through fall. Some winter fisheries exist in deeper waters.
• Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut: Shorter seasons often running May–October. Limited winter fishery.
• New York to New Jersey: Small-scale fisheries with seasons typically May–September.

The vast majority of lobsters sold in the U.S. come from Maine and Canada, so those are the supply calendars that matter most.

How to Buy Lobster No Matter the Season

Even during winter or the slowest supply weeks, you can still order live Maine lobster online and have it shipped directly to your door. Reputable suppliers maintain holding tanks that keep lobsters alive and healthy for weeks, so you’re not dependent on the daily catch.

Tips for year-round ordering:

• Order early in the week (Monday–Wednesday) to avoid weekend shipping delays.
• Request hard-shell lobsters if you want the highest meat yield.
• Check the weather forecast — extreme heat or cold can stress the lobsters during transit.
• Have someone available to receive the package when it arrives.

If you’re unsure about freshness, check our guide on how to tell if lobster is fresh before or after cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lobster only in season during months with an “R”? That’s an old rule for shellfish like oysters, not lobsters. Lobsters are available year-round.

What is the cheapest month to buy lobster? July and August typically have the lowest prices due to peak supply. Expect prices to be 30–50% lower than winter highs.

When is lobster the most expensive? Late December through February, plus the week of major holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Are soft-shell lobsters bad? Not at all. They’re just different. Soft-shells have less meat and slightly softer texture, but their flavor can be just as good. Many New Englanders prefer them for lobster rolls.

Can I freeze lobster to buy out of season? Yes. Cooked lobster meat freezes well for 3–6 months. Buy summer lobsters at low prices and freeze the cooked meat for winter use.

Does the sex of the lobster affect seasonality? No. Both male and female lobsters follow the same seasonal patterns. Fishing regulations protect egg-bearing females but don’t create separate seasons.

Final Thoughts

There’s no bad season to buy lobster, just different trade-offs between price, shell hardness, and availability. For the best combination of quality and value, aim for September through October. For the absolute lowest prices, go with July and August. And if you’re craving lobster in February, you can absolutely still get a premium product — you’ll just pay more for it.

The most important thing is to know your supplier and understand what you’re getting. Whether it’s summer soft-shells or winter hard-shells, high-quality lobster is always a treat. Get lobster delivered from a trusted source, and you’ll enjoy it any day of the year.