WDFW - Shrimp Regulations: Marine Area 7 - San Juan Islands, Iceberg Point, Biz Point, Bellingham Bay, Gulf of Georgia

Please click here for latest emergency rule changes or
call the Emergency Regulation Hotline at 1-866-880-5431

Rules & Seasons

See below for season status of northern, central and southern portions of Marine Area 7

NORTHERN & CENTRAL

CLOSED

Closed until May 2010.

Last Updated: October 16, 2009

The north/central portion of Marine Area 7 – includes all waters north of a line from Biz Point on Fidalgo Island to Cape Saint Mary’s on Lopez Island, then north of a line from Davis Point on Lopez Island to Cattle Point on San Juan Island, then north of a line due west from Lime Kiln Point light on San Juan Island to the international boundary.

SOUTHERN

CLOSED

Closed until May 2010.

Last Updated: October 15, 2009

The Southern portion of Marine Area 7 - includes all waters south of the boundary described above for the north/central portion of Marine Area 7.

NOTE: all fishing gear must be removed from the water
by one hour after sunset on the last day of any fishing period.

Shrimp Daily Limits and Rules

Spot (Pandalus platyceros)

Coonstripe (P. danae and P. hypsinotus)

Pink (P. eous and P. jordani)

PUGET SOUND and HOOD CANAL
(Marine Areas 5-13 and Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line).

1st Saturday in May through May 31:

DAILY LIMIT OF 80 SHRIMP.
Shrimp heads may be removed while in the field, prior to coming ashore.
The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1" mesh (click here for current gear rules).

June 1 through October 15:

DAILY LIMIT OF 10 POUNDS, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined (maximum of 80 spot shrimp - if open for 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 unless the area is closed for spot shrimp, but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp, then the minimum size for shrimp pots is 1/2" mesh (click here for current gear rules).

PACIFIC OCEAN
(Marine Areas 1-3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line)

DAILY LIMIT OF 10 POUNDS, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined (maximum of 80 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 (click here for current 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.

Prior to harvesting, check the Shellfish Rule Change free Hotline (866) 880-5431 or http://wdfw.wa.gov for season closures and restrictions.