June 27, 2025
Action: Opens the fishery for all shrimp species on July 16 in Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal). Cancels the scheduled opening of Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District for all shrimp species that was announced for July 18 and 19. Opens Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District; Marine Area 7 East (San Juan Islands); Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay); and Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) with depth restrictions for non-spot shrimp fisheries beginning June 30.
Effective dates by area (lists all Puget Sound shrimp opportunities):
“All shrimp” (includes spot shrimp) fisheries:
- Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line open daily, until further notice.
- Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) open daily, until further notice.
- Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District – The previously announced July 18 and July 19 all shrimp opener is cancelled, please see non-spot shrimp fisheries schedule for Marine Area 6 shrimp opportunities.
- Marine Area 7 West (San Juan Islands) open July 18 and July 19. Daylight hours only.
- Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) – Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 2 and July 16.
Non-spot shrimp (shrimp species other than spot shrimp) fisheries:
- Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District open daily from June 30‑Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep.
- Marine Area 7 East (San Juan Islands) open daily from June 30-Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep.
- Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay) and Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) open daily from June 30-Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep.
- Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) open daily immediately-Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep.
- Marine Area 11 (Tacoma and Vashon Island Area) open daily immediately-Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep.
- Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) open daily immediately-Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep.
Species affected: All classified shrimp species including spot shrimp. This includes spot shrimp, coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.
Rules:
- Gear may not be set or pulled from a vessel from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise.
- The daily limit is 80 spot shrimp and a total weight limit of 10 pounds of all shrimp species combined (whole shrimp).
- If retaining only spot shrimp, shrimp heads may be discarded in the field. If retaining any non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day.
- 1-inch minimum mesh size required for pots fished during “all shrimp” fisheries.
- ½-inch minimum mesh size is allowed for pots fished during non-spot shrimp fisheries.
- During non-spot shrimp fisheries all spot shrimp must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Reason for action: This rule is necessary to keep the harvest of spot shrimp and non-spot shrimps in these areas consistent with State/Tribal management agreements.
Additional information: Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional fishing rules.
Information contact: Donald Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, 425-725-3038.