Two More Days Of Shrimping In Hood Canal

Hood Canal shrimp fishery to open for two additional days 

OLYMPIA - Recreational shrimp fishers will get two more consecutive days to harvest spot shrimp in Hood Canal, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) will open to recreational shrimp fishing on Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22, from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

Four days of harvest earlier this year have not taken the target share of spot shrimp, said Don Velasquez, WDFW shellfish biologist.

“This is a rare opportunity for shrimp harvesters to enjoy back-to-back days on Hood Canal in June,” Velasquez said. “It’s a beautiful part of Washington to experience while shrimping.”

Velasquez noted that the northern and southern areas of Hood Canal have yielded the best catches this season. Catch rates in the central section of Hood Canal have been weak when compared to historic averages.

Boaters are encouraged to launch well in advance of the start to ensure they are ready to deploy traps at noon each day. Low tide occurs in the middle of the fishing period on both days, so shrimpers will need to plan accordingly.

Other areas currently open for spot shrimp harvest include Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Marine Area 5 (western Strait of Juan de Fuca) which are open seven days a week. Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and Marina Area 7 West are open Thursday through Sunday each week until the target shares of quotas are attained. 

More information on the seasons and rules for spot shrimp and non-spot shrimp is available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/shrimp/areas.