Recreational Shrimp Fishing Areas of WA
Shrimp Season is here in the Pacific Northwest! More than 80 shrimp species inhabit our local waters, though only seven species are regularly captured for consumption. Almost all sport shrimp harvest takes place in Puget Sound or its connecting waters. Shrimp are found primarily on or near the bottom, but make daily migrations through the water column in search of food. They have been found at depths greater than 1,000 feet, but are most frequently captured at depths of 30 to 300 feet. Here’s your guide to where to go to catch your favorite shellfish, no matter where you are in Western Washington.
Elliott Bay, Seattle/Bremerton (Marine Area 10)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: All of Marine Area 10 is open May 2, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On May 13, 2015, the portion of Marine Area 10 west of a line from West Point to Alki Point will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This includes the Bainbridge Island shrimp fishing ground. Elliott Bay will remain closed on May 13. Elliott Bay is defined as those waters east of a line from West Point to Alki Point.
Shrimp Trap with Northwest Pink Shrimp
Western Strait of Juan De Fuca (Marine Area 5)
OPEN
Season/Open Days and Times: Open daily for all shrimp species. Spot shrimp season closes when quota is attained or September 15, whichever comes first.
Port Angeles Harbor, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Marine Area 6)
OPEN
Rules: Excludes the Discovery Bay Shrimp District.
Season/Open Days and Times: Open daily for all shrimp species. Spot shrimp season closes when quota is attained or September 15, whichever comes first.
Discovery Bay Shrimp District (Marine Area 6)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2, 9, 11 & 13, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closeup of San Juan Marine Areas
San Juans South – Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank (Marine Area 7)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2, May 13-16, May 20-23 and May 27-30, 2015.
NOTE: all fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
San Juans East – Northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia Islands, Strait of Georgia (Marine Area 7)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2, May 13-16, May 20-23 and May 27-30, 2015.
(Note – will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.)
NOTE: all fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
San Juans West – San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, Stuart and Waldron Islands (Marine Area 7)
OPEN
Season/Open Days and Times: Open daily for all shrimp species. Spot shrimp season closes when quota is attained or September 15, whichever comes first.
NOTE: all fishing gear must be removed from the water by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.
Fresh is Best!
Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass (Marine Area 8-1)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2 & May 13, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Note – will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.)
Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett (Marine Area 8-2)
LIMITED SEASON
Rules: In Marine Area 8-2 it is lawful for divers to take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on any open day in May.
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2 & May 13, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Note – will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.)
Big or Small, Shrimp is Always Delicious
Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet (Marine Area 9)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2 & May 13, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Note – will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.)
Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11)
CLOSED
Season/Open Days and Times: Will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.
Filled Shrimp Buckets
Hood Canal (Marine Area 12)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open May 2, 9, 11 & 13, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet (Marine Area 13)
LIMITED SEASON
Season/Open Days and Times: Open daily until May 31.
(Note – will reopen June 1 for coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing only.)
Boaters, Get On Those Shrimp!
