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:
For 2022, was open from May 25 through September 15. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in this area.
Marine Area 5 - Western Strait of Juan De Fuca
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2022, was open from May 25 through September 15. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in 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 2022, was open May 25-28, June 9-11, June 23-25, July 7-9, July 21-23, and August 17 - 21. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
Marine Area 6 - Discovery Bay Shrimp District
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2022, was open on May 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Closed for the year.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically 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 2022, was open May 25-28, June 9-11, July 7-9, July 21-23, and August 17 - 21. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in 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 2022, was open May 25-28 and June 9-11. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
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 2022, was open May 25-28, June 9-11, June 23-25, July 7-9, July 21-23, and August 18 - 20. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in 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 2022, was open on May 25 and June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon and on June 23 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
Marine Area 8-2 - Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett
All-shrimp season: Closed.
For 2022, was open on May 25 and June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon and on June 23 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
Marine Area 9 - Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet
All-shrimp season: Closed.
For 2022, was open on May 25 from 8 a.m. to noon and on June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
Not scheduled to open in 2022.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in this area.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay boundaries
Marine Area 10 - Outside Elliott Bay
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2022, was open on May 25 from 8 a.m. to noon. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is typically not planned in this area.
Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay boundaries
Marine Area 11 - Tacoma-Vashon Island
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2022, was open on May 25 from 8 a.m. to noon and on June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
Non-spot shrimp-only season: Closed.
Marine Area 12 - Hood Canal
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
For 2022, was open on May 25, May 28, June 9, June 23, July 6, and July 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This area is closed to spot shrimp harvest for the season.
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 typically not planned in this area.
Marine Area 13 - South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet
All-shrimp season: Closed.
Season/Open Days and Times:
Will remain closed in 2022 due to concerns over spot shrimp abundance.
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.