Shrimp Rules

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Shrimp

Spot (Pandalus platyceros), Coonstripe (P. danae and P. hypsinotus), Pink (P. eous and P. jordani).

Shrimp Daily Limits and General Rules

(See Statewide Gear Rules)

Puget Sound (Marine Areas 5-13 and Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line).

First opening date will occur in May.

Daily limit of 80 spot shrimp.
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.
The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1" mesh (see Statewide Gear Rules).
Daily limit of 10 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined (maximum of 80 spot shrimp — if open for spot shrimp).

June 1 through October 15

The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1” mesh, unless the area is closed for spot shrimp, but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp, then the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is ½" mesh (see Statewide Gear Rules).
In areas closed for spot shrimp, but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp, all spot shrimp caught must be returned to the water immediately.

Pacific Ocean (Marine Areas 1-3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line).

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" mesh (see Statewide Gear Rules).

All 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.

Before harvesting shrimp, check for season closures and harvest restrictions by visiting the WDFW shrimp fishing areas and regulations page. See also closures in Marine Preserves, Conservation Areas, and Shellfish Protection Zones.

Map of Discovery Bay and Sequim Bay in Washington State, showing key landmarks including Gibson Spit, Travis Spit, Rocky Point, Beckett Point, McCurdy Point, Port Townsend Bay, and Protection Island. — Map of Discovery Bay and Sequim Bay, Washington, highlighting important shellfish harvesting areas and landmarks such as Gibson Spit, Rocky Point, Beckett Point, and Protection Island.

Discovery Bay Shrimp Area: Waters south of a line from McCurdy Point on the Quimper Peninsula to the northern tip of Protection Island then to Rocky Point on the Miller Peninsula and all waters of Discovery Bay.

Season Information
Area	Species	Season / Open Days And Times / Additional Rules
Marine Areas 4 (east of Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7 East, 7 South, 7 West, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, Discovery Bay Shrimp Area. Marine Areas 7 East, 7 South, and 7 West (see maps in Marine Area 7)	All Species	For shrimp season opening dates, times, and harvest regulations, visit the WDFW shrimp fishing regulations page. The dates for the upcoming season will be announced and available in late March or early April to accommodate co-management obligations, account for extreme tides, and complete pre-season test fishing and quota setting.
Marine Area 13	All Species	Closed to spot shrimp harvest in 2025.
Pacific Ocean Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line)	All Species	Year-round. Open daily. Note: 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.

Spot Shrimp
(Pandalus platyceros) are distinguished by four white spots on the body. Spot shrimp may reach 10" in total length.

Close-up of a spot shrimp with reddish-brown body, white stripes along the shell, and distinctive white spots near the tail, commonly found in Washington’s marine waters. — Spot shrimp, a popular shellfish in Washington, identified by their reddish-brown color, white stripes, and distinctive tail spots.

Pink Shrimp
(Pandalus eous and P. jordani) are small (less than 6") and uniformly pink.

Pink shrimp with a slender, reddish-pink body and long antennae, an important shellfish species harvested in Washington’s coastal waters. — Pink shrimp, known for their slender pink bodies and long antennae, are a key shellfish harvested along Washington’s coast.

Coonstripe (Humpback) Shrimp
(Pandalus hypsinotus) is mottled reddish-brown with some white patches on the head and tail. This species may reach 7½" in length.

Humpback shrimp with a curved, ridged back and mottled reddish-brown coloring, commonly found in Washington’s marine waters. — Humpback shrimp, identified by their curved ridged back and mottled red-brown shell, are a distinctive shellfish species in Washington waters.

Coonstripe (Dock) Shrimp
(Pandalus danae) are brownish in color with brown lines and spots on the head and tail. This species may grow to 5½" in length.

Dock shrimp with a slender body, long antennae, and mottled brown coloring, a common shrimp species in Washington marine waters. — Dock shrimp, recognized by their slender bodies and long antennae, are a frequently found shrimp species along Washington’s coast and estuaries.

Marine Area 7 Shrimp Map

Map of Marine Area 7 in Washington, divided into East, West, and South sub-areas for shrimp fishing, showing San Juan Islands, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and nearby landmarks. — Washington’s Marine Area 7 shrimp fishing zones include East, West, and South sub-areas around the San Juan Islands. This map highlights key access points and boundaries for responsible shrimp harvesting.