Discovery Bay recreational shrimping closes for the season; Many alternative options still available

OLYMPIA – Recreational shrimpers realized high catch rates in the Discovery Bay district this year, reaching annual quotas in just two days.  

Image

Photo by WDFW

As a result, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today that fishing in this area will close for the season and will not include an anticipated third day.

The closed area includes a portion of Marine Area 6 located south of a line from McCurdy Point on the Quimper Peninsula to the northern tip of Protection Island, then to Rocky Point on the Miller Peninsula.

For shrimp fishers looking to harvest spot shrimp, several other areas remain open through at least the end of June including:

• Marine Area 4 Open daily during daylight hours until the recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met.
• Marine Area 5 (western Strait of Juan de Fuca): Open daily during daylight hours until the recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met.
• Marine Area 6 (Port Angeles Harbor, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District):  Open Thursdays - Sundays each week until quota is met. Daylight hours.
• Marine Area 7 South (Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank): Open June 26, 28 and 30. Daylight hours.
• Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia islands, Strait of Georgia): Open June 26, 28 and 30. Daylight hours.
• Marine Area 7 West (San Juan Channel, Speiden Channel, Stuart and Waldron islands): Open Thursdays - Sundays each week until quota is met. Daylight hours.
• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal Shrimp District): Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 26, 28 and July 15, 28.

The daily limit is 10 pounds of all shrimp with a maximum of 80 spot shrimp for all areas except Marine Area 6 (outside Discovery Bay). The daily limit in Marine Area 6 (outside Discovery Bay) is 10 pounds of shrimp with a maximum of 120 spot shrimp.

A valid 2020-21 combination license, shellfish license, or Fish Washington license is required to participate in the fishery.

WDFW managers remind shrimpers that traps can be set one hour before official sunrise during any open period in the marine areas without specified harvest hours. These include Marine Areas 4, 5, 6 (outside Discovery Bay), 7 East, 7 South, and 7 West.

The pots must be removed from the water in these same areas by one hour after sunset at the end of an open period.

More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on WDFW's recreational shrimp fishing website. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities.