Recreational spot shrimp fishery scheduled to begin May 16 in much of Puget Sound

OLYMPIA – Many Puget Sound marine areas will open for recreational spot shrimp fishing beginning May 16. Hood Canal and Discovery Bay, meanwhile, will open May 17.

Overall, the 2024 “shrimping” season will start with similar opportunities compared to 2023, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers confirmed today.

“Spot shrimping is one of those signature northwest fisheries and our local shrimp are some of the finest seafood you can eat,” said Don Velasquez, longtime WDFW shellfish biologist. “With the warmer weather on the horizon, people are getting their vessels ready and itching to be on the water. The planned season offers many shrimp fishing opportunities throughout much of Puget Sound.”

Fishery managers selected these dates to offer opportunities to harvest shrimp while distributing participants and reducing the chance of exceeding recreational quotas. Due to high expected turnout, fishery managers emphasize that some areas can’t support weekend openings while remaining within their current quota.

WDFW is asking for shrimp fishers’ cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Fishery managers encourage shrimpers to check the weather conditions and avoid launching or leaving the dock if their vessel can’t safely participate. Check with local access ramps and marinas ahead of time to stay informed on potential closures or fee changes. Also allow extra time for launching boats, show courtesy to others at the boat ramps, and respect others’ gear while on the water.

All shrimp — including spot, dock, coonstripe, sidestripe, and pink shrimp — can be retained as part of the daily limit. However, because only larger-mesh (one-inch) pots or traps are allowed during these announced seasons, most harvest will be spot shrimp. Also known as prawns, spot shrimp are the largest shrimp in Puget Sound and may grow up to nine inches in length.

Visit WDFW’s recreational shrimp fishing webpage for the latest regulations, including any announcements confirming potential additional days of opportunity later in the season.

2024 Puget Sound recreational spot shrimp seasons

Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line: Open daily beginning May 16, daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or September 15, whichever comes first.

Marine Area 5 (Western Strait of Juan de Fuca): Open daily beginning May 16, daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or September 15, whichever comes first.

Marine Area 6 (Port Angeles Harbor, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open on May 16-18, May 30-June 1, June 13-16, June 28-30, and July 12-15. Daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional dates are July 26-29 if quota remains. Daylight hours only.

Marine Area 6 (Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional date is May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, if quota remains.

Marine Area 7 South (Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank): Open on May 16-18 and May 30-June 1. Daylight hours only. During May 30-June 1 only the Iceberg Point section will be open for spot shrimp. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional dates are June 13-15 if quota remains. Only the Iceberg Point section will be open for spot shrimp. Daylight hours only.

Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia islands, Strait of Georgia): Open on May 16-18. Daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional dates are May 30-June 1 if quota remains. Daylight hours only.

Marine Area 7 West (San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, Stuart, and Waldron islands): Open on May 16-18, May 30-June 1, June 13-15, June 28-30, and July 12-14. Daylight hours only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional dates are July 26-28 if quota remains. Daylight hours only.

Marine Areas 8-1 (Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass) and 8-2 (Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett): Open on May 16 and May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional date is June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, if quota remains.

Marine Area 9 (Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet): Open on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Additional dates may be announced later if quota remains.

Marine Area 10 (inside Elliott Bay): Open on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. This is the portion of Marine Area 10 east of a line from West Point to Alki Point. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional date is May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, if quota remains.

Marine Area 10 (outside Elliott Bay): Open on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. This is the portion of Marine Area 10 west of a line from West Point to Alki Point, which includes the Bainbridge Island shrimp fishing grounds. Additional dates may be announced later if quota remains.

Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island): Open on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Additional dates may be announced later if quota remains.

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal Shrimp District): Open on May 17-18, May 30, and June 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. An announcement regarding additional dates may be made later in the season. The first tentative additional date is June 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, if quota remains.

Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet): Closed for spot shrimp harvest in 2024 due to continued low abundance.

Recreational shrimp fishing regulations

In all areas of Puget Sound, the daily limit per fisher is 80 spot shrimp with a total daily weight limit of 10 lbs. (whole shrimp) for all species of shrimp combined. Shrimpers who retain only spot shrimp may remove and discard the heads while in the field and before returning to shore. Shrimpers retaining any shrimp species other than spot shrimp must continue to retain the heads until finished and on shore to verify compliance with the 10-lb. daily limit.

Shrimpers are reminded that under the “daylight hours only” rule, traps may 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 (except for the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), Marine Area 7 East, Marine Area 7 South, and Marine Area 7 West. Pots must be removed from the water in these areas by one hour after official sunset at the end of an open period. The start and end times for all other areas are listed above.

More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on WDFW's recreational shrimp fishing webpage. Seasons for non-spot shrimping (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) will begin later this year and will be announced separately. During non-spot shrimp seasons 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.

Now that spring has arrived, those participating must have a valid 2024-2025 recreational fishing or shellfish license. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website, from regional offices, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. All participants age 15 or older must have an applicable license.

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 follow state laws requiring vessels to stay at least 300 yards from either side of SRKW and 400 yards out of these orcas’ path. If safe to do so, disengage engines if whales appear within 300 yards. Boats should stay 100 yards from all other marine mammals (e.g. humpback whales, gray whales).

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.