Recreational shrimp fishing regulations by marine area

Photo by Billy Smith

This webpage will be updated with season dates, closures, and restrictions. Select a marine area or shrimping district below to learn if it's open for shrimp fishing.

More information on 2025 recreational shrimp fishing is available in our April news release.

Additional dates and times may be announced and added to this webpage if quota remains after the initial shrimp fishing days.

Some shrimp fishing rules apply in all marine 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.

Additional rules are available in the shrimp daily limits and rules section below.

Download a shrimp species identification guide. (PDF)

Shrimp daily limits and rules

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

Photo by WDFW

Marine Area 1 - Pacific Ocean - Ilwaco

Marine Area 2 - Pacific Ocean - Westport/Ocean Shores

Marine Area 3 - Pacific Ocean - LaPush

Marine Area 4 - West of Tatoosh-Bonilla Line (Pacific Ocean)

Marine Area 4 - Neah Bay east of Tatoosh - Bonilla line

Marine Area 5 - Western Strait of Juan De Fuca

Marine Area 6 - Port Angeles Harbor, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca outside of the Discovery Bay Shrimp District

Marine Area 6 - Discovery Bay Shrimp District

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.

Marine Area 7 - South - Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank

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.

A map depicting open and closed areas for shrimp fishing in Marine Area 7 — Iceberg Point closure area (in red) during Marine Area 7 South shrimp opening on June 6-7 and June 20-21.

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.

Marine Area 7 - East - northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia Islands, Strait of Georgia

Marine Area 7 - West - San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, Stuart and Waldron Islands

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.

Marine Area 8-1 - Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass

Marine Area 8-2 - Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett

Marine Area 9 - Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet

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.

Marine Area 10 - Elliott Bay

Marine Area 10 - Outside Elliott Bay

Marine Area 11 - Tacoma-Vashon Island

Marine Area 12 - Hood Canal

All shrimp fishery open days and times:

Open on May 21, May 22, June 4, June 18, and July 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in 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 not planned for this area.

Marine Area 13 - South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet

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.