Action: Opens the fishery for all shrimp in Marine Area 6 except in the Discovery Bay Shrimp District on August 2. Opens the fishery for shrimp other than spot shrimp in Marine Area 6 except in the Discovery Bay Shrimp District from August 3 through October 15.
Species affected: All shrimp species which include spot shrimp, coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.
Updated effective dates by location:
Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Marine Area 5:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for all shrimp species. Daylight hours only.
Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District):
- Open on August 2, 2026, for all shrimp species, daylight hours only.
- Open from August 3 through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Discovery Bay Shrimp District:
- Closed.
Marine Area 7 East:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Marine Area 7 South:
- Closed.
Marine Area 7 West:
- Closed.
Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Marine Area 9:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Marine Area 10:
- The portion of Marine Area 10 east of a line from West Point to Alki Point (inside Elliott Bay) will remain closed.
Marine Area 10:
- The portion of Marine Area 10 west of a line from West Point to Alki Point will remain closed.
Marine Area 11:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Marine Area 12:
- Closed.
Marine Area 13:
- Open through Oct. 15, 2026, for shrimp species other than spot shrimp. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
Reason for action: Harvest and effort data from previous openings indicate the spot shrimp quotas for all areas except Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, and 6 outside the Discovery Bay Shrimp District have been met. Opening Marine Area 6 outside the Discovery Bay Shrimp District on August 2 for all shrimp species, and non-spot shrimp species August 3 through October 15, this rule keeps the harvest of spot shrimp and non-spot shrimps consistent with State/Tribal management agreements.
Additional information: Find recreational shrimp fishing marine area information on the WDFW website. Information on shrimp identification, including non-spot shrimp, is also available on WDFW's shrimp species webpages and identification guide (PDF) (PDF).
All-shrimp seasons, including spot shrimp: Pots with a minimum mesh size of one inch are allowed. The daily limit is 80 spot shrimp during the all-shrimp season, with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp), all species combined.
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 daylight hours only rule indicates that pots can be set and retrieved from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.
Non-spot only seasons: Pots with a minimum mesh size of ½ inch are allowed. There are maximum fishing depth restrictions specific to each area to limit capture of spot shrimp. All spot shrimp must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. The daily limit is 10 pounds (whole shrimp), all species combined.
All shrimp heads must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day. Pots can be set and retrieved from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Donald Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, 425-725-3038.