Select a marine area to learn if it's open for shrimping, and see daily limits and rules for different marine waters.
Some rules apply in all areas:
- Each harvester must have a separate container for their catch, either in their possession or identified with their name.
- No minimum carapace size.
- Maximum of two shrimp pots per person and no more than four shrimp pots per boat.
Prior to harvesting, check the shellfish rule change free hotline 866-880-5431 or visit this page for season closures and restrictions.
Download a shrimp species identification guide (PDF)
Shrimp daily limits and rules
Daily limits and rules for spot, coonstripe, and pink shrimp.
Puget Sound and Hood Canal
(Marine Areas 5-13 and Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line).
Please see the Marine Areas tabs below for additional harvest dates and specific details.
Daily limit of 10 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined (maximum of 80 spot shrimp, if open for spot shrimp).
If retaining only spot shrimp, then shrimp heads may be removed and discarded in the field.
If retaining any shrimp species other than spot shrimp, then shrimp heads may be removed but must be retained while in the field, until ashore and finished fishing for the day.
The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1-inch mesh unless the area is closed for spot shrimp, but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp ("non-spot shrimp"), then the minimum size for shrimp pots is 1/2-inch mesh (See: current gear rules).
In areas closed for spot shrimp, but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp ("non-spot shrimp"), all spot shrimp caught must be returned to the water immediately.
Pacific Ocean
(Marine Areas 1-3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line)
Pacific Ocean shrimp grounds are located a considerable distance from shore (30 miles or more) and as a result are generally inaccessible by the casual sport fisher.
Daily limit of 25 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined (maximum of 200 spot shrimp).
Shrimp heads may be removed, but must be retained while in the field, until ashore and finished fishing for the day.
The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1-inch mesh (See: current gear rules).
Marine Area 1 - Pacific Ocean - Ilwaco
Open all year
Marine Area 2 - Pacific Ocean - Westport/Ocean Shores
Open all year
Marine Area 3 - Pacific Ocean - LaPush
Open all year
Marine Area 4 - Neah Bay east of Tatoosh - Bonilla line
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 5 - Western Strait of Juan De Fuca
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 6 - Port Angeles Harbor, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca outside of the Discovery Bay Shrimp District
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open May 25 - 28, June 8 - 10, June 22 - 24, July 7 - 10, and July 21 - 25. Fishing from vessels was allowed during daylight hours only. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
Opened on August 8 and will close on (or before) October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 175 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 6 - Discovery Bay Shrimp District
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open on May 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on June 22, and from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. on July 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 6 - Discovery Bay Shrimp District
Waters south of a line from McCurdy Point on the Quimper Peninsula to the northern tip of Protection Island then from the western end of Protection Island to Rocky Point on the Miller Peninsula and all the waters of Discovery Bay.
Note: all fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
Marine Area 7 - South - Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open May 25 - 28, June 8 - 10, June 22 - 24 (the green portion in the map below only), and August 7 - 14 (the green portion in the map below only).
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 7 - Boundaries for South, East and West
Note: All fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
Marine Area 7 - East - northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia Islands, Strait of Georgia
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open May 25 - 28, and June 8 - 10. Fishing from vessels was allowed during daylight hours only. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season opened on June 16 and will close on (or before) October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 200 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 7 - Boundaries for South, East and West
Marine Area 7 - West - San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, Stuart and Waldron Islands
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open May 25 - 28, June 8 - 10, June 22 - 24, July 7 - 10, and August 7 - 14. Fishing from vessels was allowed during daylight hours only.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 7 - Boundaries for South, East and West
Note: All fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
Marine Area 8-1 - Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass
All-shrimp season: Closed.
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25 and June 9, from 8:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. on June 22, and from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on July 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season began on July 26 and will close on or before October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 175 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 8-2 - Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett
All-shrimp season: Closed.
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25 and June 9, from 8:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. on June 22, and from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on July 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season began on July 26 and will close on or before October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 175 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 9 - Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet
All-shrimp season: Closed.
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season began on June 1 and will close on (or before) October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 150 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on June 22, and from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on July 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay boundaries
Marine Area 10 - Outside Elliott Bay
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay boundaries
Marine Area 11 - Tacoma-Vashon Island
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 25, and was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on June 9. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp-only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season began on June 16 and will close on (or before) October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 150 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.
Marine Area 12 - Hood Canal
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2023, the season was open from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on May 26, June 9, June 11, and June 24. Closed for the year.
Shrimpers are encouraged to confirm the status and fee structure for the boat launch at Skokomish Park at Potlatch/Saltwater Park before planning to use the facility. For information you may call 360-877-9422.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Marine Area 13 - South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
Will remain closed in 2023 due to concerns over spot shrimp abundance.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Open.
A non-spot shrimp only season began on June 1 and will close on (or before) October 15. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch will be allowed during this fishery, with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 200 feet to limit handling of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp encountered must be immediately released.