Our favorite time of the year is at hand! The opportunity to harvest the delicious, the delectable, the delightful: Spot Shrimp of Puget Sound.
This blog post has all the basic information you need to know about the seasons in 2024 and a few helpful resources to refresh your shrimping knowledge since it has been about a year since we were last out there hauling up our pots.
A good habit I formed a few weeks prior to the Spot Shrimp Season beginning is to take all of my shrimping gear and just lay it out on my garage floor. I inspect my shrimp pots, harnesses, anchor lines, buoys, etc.
Sometimes, I will have an issue from last season that I didn’t fix and eventually forgot about. I don’t want to deal with that on opening day and this year I’ve got some ambitious shrimpy plans so I need everything to be dialed in.
If you haven’t already solved your shrimping line management issues, you can now purchase the SMI rope winder from Amazon. I highly recommend doing this or your own homegrown solution.
As an Amazon associate we get a small commission if you use the above link to purchase, even though you get the same price regardless. Thanks for supporting the blog!
Marine Area 6 (Eastern Strait) Spot Shrimp Season 2024
Below is the 2024 season information for MA6:
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.
Here’s data from the 2020 Spot Shrimp Season on catch rates:
| Marine Area | Boats | Anglers | Pots | Pots/Boat | Shrimp | Shrimp/Angler |
| Discovery Bay | 70 | 204 | 216 | 3.09 | 13,028 | 63.86 |
| 6 (excluding disco bay) | 623 | 1,722 | 1,922 | 3.09 | 97,919 | 56.86 |
Remember, MA6 outside of Disco Bay can often be big water shrimping. Your pots need plenty of weight and you need to look carefully at your weather window to be safe.
I like to take part in these MA6 openers, but I really prefer it if we can get out into the Strait, you need a calm day for that, which is frequently not in the cards even in June / July.
Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) Spot Shrimp Season 2024
Below is the 2024 season information for MA7 South, East and West:
Marine Area 7 South (Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank) and Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia islands, Strait of Georgia): 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, Speiden 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.
Here’s data from the 2020 Spot Shrimp Season on catch rates:
| Marine Area | Boats | Anglers | Pots | Pots/Boat | Shrimp | Shrimp/Angler |
| 7 South | 318 | 954 | 1,032 | 3.25 | 63,455 | 66.51 |
| 7 East | 200 | 553 | 624 | 3.12 | 29,553 | 53.44 |
| 7 West | 472 | 1,360 | 1,481 | 3.14 | 85,337 | 62.74 |
I’m definitely planning on hitting MA7 West and maybe even Iceberg Point in the South, but I will need the weather to cooperate with that plan. Iceberg Point is very exposed to the often volatile winds of the Eastern Strait.
Marine Area 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10 and 11 (Puget Sound) Spot Shrimp Season 2024
Below is the 2024 season information for MA 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10 and 11:
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.
It’s pretty cool that Area 8-1 and 8-2 get an additional planned day on the initial season compared to 2023.
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 (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.
This tide looks incredibly good for the Puget Sound opener!
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.
Here’s data from the 2020 Spot Shrimp Season on catch rates:
| Marine Area | Boats | Anglers | Pots | Pots/Boat | Shrimp | Shrimp/Angler |
| 8-1 & 8-2 | 202 | 697 | 678 | 3.36 | 46,044 | 66.06 |
| 9 | 69 | 231 | 242 | 3.51 | 17,901 | 77.49 |
| 10 & Elliot Bay | 154 | 577 | 537 | 3.49 | 39,038 | 67.65 |
| 11 | 85 | 278 | 289 | 3.40 | 13,526 | 48.65 |
With the first day of shrimping on Puget Sound being before the season on Hood Canal starts, just like in 2023, I’m looking forward to participating in that first day. Combined with the two days of consecutive shrimping on Hood Canal, that will be 3 days straight of shrimping fun!
I did this first day in 2023 near Eagle Harbor in Marine Area 10 and I can tell you that it was not very good. I also did a later Elliot Bay opener and that was also pretty bad. I don’t just mean my results but everyone we talked to as well.
I’m considering hitting the northern end of 10, 9, or perhaps even 8-2…
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) and MA13 Spot Shrimp Season 2024
Below is the 2024 season information for MA 12:
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.
I love that we get two back-to-back days of shrimping on the initial opener. I plan to do both of these days to really load up on Spot Shrimp in 2024!
These tides on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th look killer! Very small amounts of water movement which is ideal for shrimping success!
Resources to help you get quick limits of Puget Sound spot shrimp
If you prefer to read versus watch, then our comprehensive guide to Puget Sound spot shrimping blog page might be for you.
WDFW Press Release on the 2024 Spot Shrimp Season
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 participant sage 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
WDFW Press Release from Friday, April 5th