Recreational shrimp fishing regulations by marine area

Daily limits and rules for spot, coonstripe, and pink shrimp are listed below.

Scroll down for tips for setting shrimp traps and not losing your gear, or download a printable handout (PDF).

Additional information on shellfishing gear rules is available on the statewide gear rules webpage.

Puget Sound management area

Marine areas 5 through 13 and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line including Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Straits of Juan de Fuca and Georgia, and San Juan Islands

Please see the Marine Areas tabs below for additional harvest dates, times, and other 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.

Coastal management area

Marine areas 1 through 3 and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) 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).

 Tips for setting shrimp traps and not losing your gear

Image

Photo by WDFW

Open all year

Open all year

Open all year

Open all year

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open daily beginning May 21. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or Sept. 15, whichever comes first. 

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open daily beginning May 21. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or Sept. 15, whichever comes first.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21-23, June 6-7, June 20-21, and July 18-19. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

To be determined following all shrimp fishing dates.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21 and June 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. 

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.

Photo by WDFW

Note: all fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21-23 and June 6-7. During the June 6-7 opening, the Iceberg Point portion of Marine Area 7 South will remain closed by emergency rule. The portions of Marine Area 7 South west and east of the Iceberg Point portion will open as scheduled. See map below. The previously announced opening of the Iceberg Point portion for June 20-21 has been cancelled as well by emergency rule. For more information, refer to the emergency Fishing Rule Change. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only.

Image

Photo by WDFW

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.

Note: All fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21-23, and June 6-7. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

To be determined following all shrimp fishing dates.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21-23, June 6-7, June 20-21, and July 18-19. Shrimping is allowed during daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

To be determined following all shrimp fishing dates.

Note: All fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21, June 6, and June 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

To be determined following all shrimp fishing dates.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21, June 6, and June 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on May 21, June 6, and June 20 in Marine Area 8-2. 

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

To be determined following all shrimp fishing dates.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open May 21 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species in that portion of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) located west of a line projected from Possession Point (47.905036 -122.380062) to Apple Cove Point (47.817348 -122.484381).

Non-spot shrimp only fishery dates and times: 

Open from June 1 through October 15 with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 150 feet. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch are allowed during this time. All spot shrimp encountered must be released immediately unharmed.

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21 and June 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. 

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.

Photo by WDFW

All shrimp fishery open days and times: closed.

Closed for spot shrimp harvest in 2025 due to low abundance.

Non-spot shrimp only season: closed

A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.

Photo by WDFW

All shrimp fishery open days and times: closed.

Closed for spot shrimp harvest in 2025 due to low abundance.

Non-spot shrimp only fishery dates and times: 

Open from June 1 through October 15 with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 150 feet. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch are allowed during this time. All spot shrimp encountered must be released immediately unharmed.

All shrimp fishery open days and times: closed.

Closed for spot shrimp harvest in 2025 due to low abundance.

Non-spot shrimp only fishery dates and times: 

Open from June 1 through October 15 with a maximum allowed fishing depth of 200 feet. Pots with a minimum mesh size of 1/2 inch are allowed during this time. All spot shrimp encountered must be released immediately unharmed.