April 15, 2025
Action: Recreational shrimp seasons will open for all shrimp including spot shrimp in Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7 East, 7 South, 7 West, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10 (inside Elliott Bay), and 12 according to the schedule below.
Species affected: All shrimp species which include spot shrimp, coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.
Effective dates by location:
Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and 5: Open May 21 each day until further notice for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only.
Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open May 21 through 23, June 6 through 7, June 20 through 21, and July 18 through 19 for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only.
Discovery Bay Shrimp District: Open May 21 from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. for all shrimp species.
Marine Area 7 South: Open May 21 through 23 and June 6 through 7 for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only. Only that portion of Marine Area 7 South that is west of a line projected due south from Point Colville on Lopez Island and east of a line projected due south from Cattle Point on San Juan Island, will open from June 20 through 21.
Marine Areas 7 East: Open May 21 through 23 and June 6 through 7 for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only.
Marine Area 7 West: Open May 21 through 23, June 6 through 7, June 20 through 21, and July 18 through 19 for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only.
Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2:
- Open May 21 and June 6 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species.
- Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on May 21 and June 6 in Marine Area 8-2.
Marine Area 9: Open May 21 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species.
Marine Area 10: The portion of Marine Area 10 east of a line from West Point to Alki Point (inside Elliott Bay) will open May 21 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species. The portion of Marine Area 10 west of a line from West Point to Alki Point will remain closed.
Marine Area 11: Will remain closed.
Marine Area 12: Open May 21, May 22, June 4, June 18, and July 2 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species.
Marine Area 13: Will remain closed.
Reason for action: To harvest recreational shrimp (primarily spot shrimp) consistent with State/Tribal management agreements. Some marine areas will remain closed for conservation reasons including Marine Area 10 outside Elliott Bay, Marine Area 11, and Marine Area 13.
Additional information: 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 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.
Information contact: Donald Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, (425) 725-3038