Shrimping is a big deal here in Washington State. Our largest and most sought after is the Spot Shrimp draw quite a crowd when the season opens! Each marine area has specific dates and times we can soak pots, so be very educated on when those times are and get it on your calendar! We have a couple helpful articles about Puget Sound Spot Shrimp and how to catch them. Check them out!
Regulation posts such as this help with awareness, but as always it’s best practice to check the official WDFW Spot Shrimp regulation page for the final word on openers. Have a great season everyone!
Puget Sound 2022 Spot Shrimp Season
Marine Area 8-1 to the east of Deception Pass into Saratoga Passage is popular for the folks on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. It will open to Spot Shrimp May 25 and June 9 from 8am to noon only. Additional dates may be announced if quota remains.
Marine Area 8-2 encompasses Port Susan and Port Gardner. Very popular for anyone launching or mooring at Everett. This area will be open for Spot Shrimp on May 25 and June 9 from 8am to noon only.
Marine Area 9 from Edmonds to Admiralty Inlet and Port Townsend Bay will be open on May 25 from 8am to noon only. Additional dates if quota allows.
Marine Area 10 in the Seattle and Bainbridge Island area will open to Spot Shrimp May 25 from 8am to noon only. Additional dates if quota allows. Elliott Bay will not be open for Spot Shrimp this season.
Marine Area 11 around Tacoma and Vashon Island will be open to Spot Shrimp May 25 from 8am to noon only. Additional dates if quota allows.
Marine Area 13 in the South Puget Sound will not be open to Spot Shrimp this season.
Hood Canal 2022 Spot Shrimp Season
Marine Area 12 in Hood Canal is one of the classic Spot Shrimp areas of Washington State. For 2022 it will be open on May 25, May 28, June 9 and June 23 from 9am to 1pm only. Additional dates if quota allows.
San Juan Islands 2022 Spot Shrimp Season
South Marine Area 7 is essentially the outer waters in the strait just south of the San Juan Islands, including south of Limekiln, Salmon Bank, Iceberg and out to Biz Point and Smith Island. In 2022 this area will be open to Spot Shrimp May 25 to 28, and June 9-11. Quota usage may cause an early closure or additional dates.
West Marine Area 7 is the area around Roche Harbor, San Juan Channel, Spieden Island, Stuart and Waldron Islands. This area will be open to Spot Shrimp May 25 to 28, June 9-11, June 23 to 25, and July 7 to 9. Quota usage may cause an early closure or additional dates.
East Marine Area 7 is the area around Point Roberts, Bellingham Bay, Northern Rosario Strait, Sucia and Matia Islands and the Strait of Georgia. This area will be open to Spot Shrimp May 25 to 28, and June 9 to 11. Quota usage may cause an early closure or additional dates.
Strait of Juan de Fuca 2022 Spot Shrimp Season
Marine Area 4 East of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line includes all the inside waters around Neah Bay. This area doesn’t see much shrimping efforts, so this area will be open to Spot Shrimp starting on May 25 and remain open daily until further notice.
Marine Area 5 at Sekiu and Pillar Point is a popular fishing area throughout the spring and summer, but shrimping efforts are light, so it will also open on May 25 and remain open daily until further notice.
Marine Area 6 in the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca includes popular shrimping areas such as the eastern banks, Port Angeles and Sequim. It will open to Spot Shrimp May 25 to 28, June 23 to 25, July 7 to 9, and July 21 to 23. Quota usage may cause an early closure or additional dates.
Within Marine Area 6, there is a special Discovery Bay Shrimp District that will be open to Spot Shrimp May 25 from 9am to 1pm only.
Seattle Lingcod Trip – May 7
