Updated Puget Sound shrimping seasons

May 28, 2024

Actions:  

  • Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Discovery Bay
  • Opens additional dates for spot shrimp harvest in Marine Area 7 East 
  • Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 9 on June 13
  • Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 10 inside Elliott Bay on June 13
  • Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 10 outside Elliott Bay on June 13
  • Opens non-spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 11 from June 1 through October 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet
  • Opens non-spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 13 from June 1 through October 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 200 feet

Species affected:  All shrimp species, which includes spot shrimp, coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.

 

Effective open dates by area:    

Marine Area 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line):  Open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

Marine Area 5:  Open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District):  Open for all shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, on May 30 through June 1, June 13 through 16, June 28 through June 30, and July 12 through July 15. 

Marine Area 6 (Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open for all shrimp species on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Marine Area 7 East: Open for shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, on May 30 through June 1.

Marine Area 7 South (Only that portion of Marine Area 7 South that is west of a line projected due south from Point Colville on Lopez Island and east of a line projected due south from Cattle Point on San Juan Island): Open for all shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, on May 30 through June 1.

Marine Area 7 West:  Open for all shrimp species, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, on May 30 through June 1, June 13 through 15, June 28 through 30, and July 12 through 14.

Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2: Open for all shrimp species on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. 

Marine Area 8-2:  Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight May 30.

Marine Area 9:  Open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Marine Area 10 (Waters of Elliott Bay east of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point only): Open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Marine Area 10 (Waters outside Elliott Bay): Open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Marine Area 11: Open for non-spot shrimp, from June 1 through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 150 feet.

Marine Area 12: Open for all shrimp species, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, on May 30 and June 15.

Marine Area 13:  Open for non-spot shrimp, from June 1 through Oct. 15, with a max depth of 200 feet.

Reason for action: To harvest recreational shrimp consistent with State/Tribal management agreements.

 

Additional information: 

In all areas of Puget Sound open for all shrimp species, the daily limit per fisher is 80 spot shrimp; with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp) of all species of shrimp combined. 

In areas open only for non-spot shrimp the daily limit is 10 lbs. (whole shrimp) of all species combined. Maximum depth limits mean that it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters deeper than the max. limit. If an area is open for non-spot shrimp only, all spot shrimp must be released immediately.

If retaining any non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads (spot and non-spot) must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed. 

Information contact: Donald Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, (425) 725-3038. 

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.