Recreational spot shrimp season looks promising

  • By Wayne Kruse Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, April 16, 2014 8:40pm
  • Sports

The extremely popular recreational spot shrimp season opens May 3 — if you can call two days a season — and the prospects for putting a few of the highly sought critters in the boat are very good.

“Our test fishing has shown decent populations in almost all areas,” said state Fish and Wildlife Department biologist Mark O’Toole in the agency’s La Conner office. “I can’t see any substantial drop-offs in the numbers anywhere, and it looks like another good year for shrimp. The 2012 and 2013 fisheries were good ones, and this year appears to be a repeat.”

Hood Canal, traditionally the state’s top spot shrimp producer, opens from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 3, 7, 10 and 21. The Canal loses a day this year because of a very low minus tide, but could reopen if the quota is not met.

Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 10 open May 3 and May 7, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. O’Toole said Marine Area 8-1 (Saratoga Passage north of Camano State Park) likely will be down a little, but not significantly, while 8-2 (Port Gardner, Port Susan and Possession Sound) probably will show a slight uptick. The Mukilteo shoreline and the south portion of 8-2 have traditionally produced slightly smaller catch averages, O’Toole said, while the Hat Island area usually fares a little better.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca, from Neah Bay east to Port Angeles, opens May 3 daily through Sept. 15 or when the quota is taken, whichever comes first.

Shrimping in the San Juan Islands is popular with a lot of sport fishermen from this area, and this year will offer even more opportunity than usual. Areas 7-West, 7-South and 7-East open May 3 for a single day, and then reopen May 7-10, 21-24, and 28-31.

The big change, O’Toole said, is a very substantial increase in shrimping opportunity in Area 7-West.

“Because of an increase in recreational allocation there recently, 7-West will offer shrimping on through the summer months when everything else is closed,” he said. “If you’re willing to trailer your boat a ways, you can soak your pots through what could be a 100-day season, compared to seven days last year.”

Area 7-West reopens to daily shrimping June 1 through Sept. 15 or when the quota is taken, whichever comes first. O’Toole said to check the agency website for area boundaries; www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish.

Some of the more popular fishing spots in 7-West, O’Toole said, would include San Juan Channel, Jones Island and Rocky Bay. He warned, however, that good gear and a lot of weight are critical in the western San Juans because of heavy tidal flows. If you lose a pot through carelessness, it’s not just “Oh my, I lost a pot, now I’ll have to get another.” Chances are good your lost gear will continue to fish, and kill, for a long time.

O’Toole said the department test fisheries use straight shrimp bait pellets, but he prefers a more exotic blend in his own pot.

“You can really get creative with shrimp bait,” he said, “but John Martinis (owner of John’s Sporting Goods on north Broadway in Everett; 425-259-3056) has a good formula. It’s something like a mix of crunched-up Super Bait pellets, canned mackerel, prawn bait oil, fish-flavor cat food, and maybe ground up last-year’s herring, all mixed up and put in a bait can with generous holes so that it lays out a nice oily, smelly scent trail.”

The depth at which most recreational shrimpers fish varies from place to place, but O’Toole said the average in areas 8-1, 8-2 and 9 probably would be between 220 and 320 feet. “Start out shallow and keep moving one pot deeper as you look for the right depth,” he said.

Pots should be checked every 45 minutes to an hour.

The spot shrimp limit is 80 per person. Following is sampling data from the state for the past three years, in pounds caught per boat:

n Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2: 2011, 17.9 pounds per boat; 2012, 17.9 pounds; and 2013, 17.9 pounds.

n Marine Area 9: 2011, 13.7 pounds per boat; 2012, 18.2 pounds; and 2013, 16.8 pounds.

n Marine Areas 7-East and West: 2011, 12.7 pounds per boat; 2012, 8.5 pounds; and 2013, 12.1 pounds.

n Marine Area 7-South: 2011, 15.0 pounds per boat; 2012, 14.4 pounds; and 2013, 17.4 pounds.

n Hood Canal: 2011, 15.0 pounds per boat; 2012, 16.6 pounds; and 2013, 17.0 pounds.

n Discovery Bay: 2011, 10.2 pounds per boat; 2012, 7.3 pounds; and 2013, 11.1 pounds.

According to sampling data, the average recreational boat fishes 3.5 pots (four pots is the maximum allowed) and carries 3.3 fishers on board.

Springers

Spring chinook and steelhead catch rates ranged from fair to excellent in the lower Columbia River over the weekend, according to state biologist Joe Hymer in Vancouver. Boat fishermen in the Columbia Gorge fared best, nailing an average of 1.34 springers per boat. In the estuary, at the bottom end of the river, boat anglers averaged 0.56 kings per boat.

Above Bonneville, catch and fishing activity increased. Boat anglers at Drano Lake are finding fair numbers of springers, and 20 boats were counted there Saturday. Results were similar at the mouth of the Wind River.

For more outdoors news, read Wayne Kruse’s blog at www.heraldnet.com/huntingandfishing.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.