Spot shrimp fishery to reopen May 30 and June 13 only for additional opportunities in some Puget Sound marine areas

OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp fishing will reopen in some Puget Sound marine areas on May 30 and June 13 only, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

“We are excited to announce some additional spot shrimp fishing opportunities in several marine areas,” said Aaron Dufault, WDFW Puget Sound shellfish manager. “Challenging weather on the May 16 opener likely lowered the expected harvest resulting in some added days to the schedule.”

Following review of the recreational shrimping catch and effort data in Puget Sound to date, WDFW shellfish managers determined that enough of the quota remains in multiple marine areas to offer additional harvest opportunities on May 30 and June 13 only.

• Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia Islands and Strait of Georgia) is open to harvest all shrimp species from May 30 through June 1.
• Discovery Bay Shrimp District is open for all shrimp species on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.
• Marine Area 9 (Edmonds, Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet) is open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.
• Marine Area 10 (Elliott Bay) is open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.
• Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) outside Elliott Bay is open for all shrimp species on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

The recreational catches of spot shrimp in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) were particularly poor during the May 16 opener and the decision was made to close harvest for the season. 

Shrimp fishers are reminded from May 30 through June 1, only a portion of Marine Area 7 South (from west of Point Colville on Lopez Island and east of Cattle Point on San Juans Island) will be open. Please refer to map below for boundary details.

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Photo by WDFW

Other changes include:

• Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island): The non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) fishery is open June 1 through Oct. 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.
• Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound): The non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) fishery is open June 1 through Oct. 15 with a max depth restriction of 200 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.

The daily limit is 80 spot shrimp with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp) all species combined. If retaining non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads (spot and non-spot) must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day. Daylight hours only indicates that pots can be set and retrieved from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.

Those looking to spend more day’s shrimping can take advantage of other marine areas open for spot shrimp. More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on WDFW's recreational shrimp fishing section of the website. 

Shrimp fishers are reminded to follow Be Whale Wise regulations and guidelines to help protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW). Avoid approaching SRKW, and at minimum stay the required distance away (reference the Be Whale Wise website for more information). Anglers are also encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee that lets others know that there might be whales nearby. If you see the flag, slow down and follow guidelines. For more details about steps anglers can take to keep the whales – and themselves – safe, visit BeWhaleWise.org.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.