Much of Puget Sound will open for recreational spot shrimp fishing beginning May 25, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced.

Hood Canal and Discovery Bay will open May 26.

State officials said they expect the 2023 season will be much like the last.

The recreational spot shrimp fishing will start around the same time and with similar opportunities compared to last year, with the exception of Elliott Bay reopening.

“This is a very popular recreational fishery, and a marker for many that the warmer days are truly upon us,” said Don Velasquez, a shellfish biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We can’t wait to see folks out enjoying themselves on the water, carrying out one of Puget Sound’s great regional traditions.”

Officials noted that due to high expected turnout, some areas can’t support any weekend openings while remaining within their current quota.

All shrimp — including spot, dock, coonstripe, sidestripe, and pink shrimp — can be kept as part of the daily limit. However, because only larger-mesh (1-inch) traps are allowed during the announced season, most harvest will be spot shrimp. 

Also known as prawns, spot shrimp are the largest shrimp in Puget Sound and may grow up to 9 inches in length.

Nearby recreational spot shrimp seasons that open May 25 include:

Marine Area 5 (western Strait of Juan de Fuca): Open daily during daylight hours. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met.

Marine Area 6 (Port Angeles Harbor, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open during daylight hours on May 25-May 28, June 8-June 10, June 22-June 24, July 7-July 10, and July 21-July 23. 

Marine Area 6 (Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 26 only.

Marine Area 9 (Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet): Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 25 only.

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal Shrimp District): Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 26, June 9, June 11, June 24, and June 28 only.

Additional dates and times may be announced if enough quota remains after the initial fishing days.

In all areas of Puget Sound, the daily limit per fisher is 80 spot shrimp with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (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-pound daily limit.

A valid 2023-24 combination license, shellfish license, Fish Washington license, or Get Outdoors license is required to participate in the fishery.

More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on Fish and Wildlife’s recreational shrimp fishing website.

Seasons for non-spot shrimping (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe, and pink shrimp only) will begin later this year and will be announced separately.