Shrimp are a popular seafood that can be caught both recreationally and commercially across the United States. But shrimp seasons vary greatly depending on location, species, and fishing regulations. In this article, we’ll take a look at when shrimp seasons typically begin in different parts of the U.S. to help anglers plan their shrimping trips.
Gulf Coast Shrimp Seasons
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most productive shrimping grounds in the US Several species of shrimp are harvested commercially and recreationally in the Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
In Louisiana, the opening of shrimp season is highly anticipated by recreational shrimpers. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces the dates for the spring inshore shrimp season each year. Typically, the season opens in early to mid May in Louisiana’s inside waters. The fall inshore shrimp season usually opens in mid to late August.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sets an annual opening date for bait shrimping that is typically in mid July. The opening dates can vary by year and county though, so it’s important to check the regulations. The bait shrimp season opening coincides with the white shrimp migration.
In Mississippi the Department of Marine Resources regulates the recreational shrimp season. The season usually opens in mid June for both cast netting and trawling in state waters. However, there are many additional regulations so be sure to consult the shrimping guidelines.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces opening dates annually for both cast netting and trawling. The season often opens in early June. Special regulations apply to Mobile Bay too.
In Florida, recreational shrimping seasons are set by regions. In the Northwest region, the season opens on July 15. In the Northeast region, it opens August 15. In the Southwest region, September 15 is the opening.
Atlantic Coast Shrimp Seasons
On the U.S. Atlantic coast, shrimp are targeted from North Carolina down through Florida. The season openings vary by state.
In North Carolina, cast netting for shrimp opens typically on the last Monday in August. Trawl netting opens later, usually in December or January.
The popular shrimp baiting season in South Carolina often opens in mid May. For cast netting and seines, the season opens end of May. Trawling doesn’t open until December.
In Georgia, recreational shrimping can begin as early as May 20 some years, while other years it starts June 1. But there are many special regulations for shrimping in Georgia, so be sure to check the season dates annually.
The Atlantic coast of Florida has an early shrimping season that opens in July, focused on bait shrimp. The regular season opens in August or September depending on region.
Shrimp Seasons on the West Coast
On the West Coast, shrimp seasons are managed by Washington, Oregon, and California.
In Washington state waters, spot shrimp season opens mid May in Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca and San Juan Islands. However, shrimping is only allowed on certain days and times due to tight quotas. Other species like coonstripe and pink shrimp open later in June or July.
Oregon permits both commercial and recreational shrimp fishing. The popular recreational season opens the first Tuesday in May for ocean waters, bays, and estuaries. Be sure to check Oregon shrimp regulations each year.
California divides its waters into northern and southern regions, each with distinct shrimp seasons. Typically, the recreational season opens earlier in northern waters such as Bodega Bay. The southern opening dates are later, with some as late as October.
Shrimp Season Variations
As we’ve seen, shrimp seasons can’t be generalized across the U.S. – precise opening dates are set annually by each state’s fisheries management. And special regulations often apply to certain bodies of water or regions within a state.
In addition to geography, opening dates depend heavily on the life cycles of local shrimp species. Smaller brown and pink shrimp mature earlier in the year and are targeted first. Larger white shrimp don’t reach harvestable size until later in the summer.
Environmental conditions like water temperature also impact seasonal shrimp distribution and migration. Colder springs may delay early season openings.
And of course, fishery managers also set shrimp seasons based on economic considerations, tourist seasons, and commercial fishing interests.
For these reasons, it’s essential that recreational shrimpers check their state’s regulations each year to find out exact opening dates. While this article provides a general guide to when shrimping gets underway in different parts of the country, be sure to confirm this year’s specifics before hitting the water with your cast net.
With a little homework, you’ll be ready to get in on the action and enjoyment when another shrimp season arrives. Wishing you a great catch!
Non-spot shrimp only season: Closed.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and San Juan Islands
Please see the Marine Areas tabs below for additional harvest dates and specific details.
Daily limit of 10 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined. Maximum of 80 spot shrimp, if open for spot shrimp.
If retaining only spot shrimp, then shrimp heads may be removed and discarded in the field.
If you want to keep any kind of shrimp besides spot shrimp, you can take off the heads but you have to keep them in the field until you get back to shore and are done fishing for the day.
For shrimp pots, the smallest mesh size is 1 inch, unless the area is closed to spot shrimp but open to coonstripe and pink shrimp (also called “non-spot shrimp”). In that case, the smallest mesh size is 1/2 inch (see current gear rules).
All spot shrimp that are caught in places that aren’t allowed for spot shrimp but are allowed for coonstripe and pink shrimp (“non-spot shrimp”) must be put back into the water right away.
Due to their location 30 miles or more from shore, Pacific Ocean shrimp grounds are usually out of reach for casual sport fishermen.
Daily limit of 25 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined. Maximum of 200 spot shrimp.
You can take off the heads of shrimp, but you have to keep them in the field until you get back to shore and are done fishing for the day.
The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1-inch mesh (See: current gear rules).
Opened May 16, daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or September 15, whichever comes first.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Opened May 16, daylight hours only. The recreational spot shrimp season closes when the quota is met or September 15, whichever comes first.
A non-spot shrimp only season is not planned for this area.
Was open on May 16 -18 and May 30 – June 1. Will be open June 13 – 16, June 28 – 30, and July 12 – 15. Daylight hours only. Additional dates will be announced if quota allows.
Will open sometime after the “all shrimp” season (including spot shrimp) has finished.
Was open on May 17 from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. only and on May 30 from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. only.
2023 Shrimp Season opens with declined participation
When is shrimp season?
The spring/brown shrimp season generally runs May to July. The fall/white shrimp season is generally open mid-August to mid-December; some waters stay open into January. Outside waters: year-round, except from mid or late December to April or May in certain areas to protect small white shrimp and allow them to grow to market size.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
When does the shrimp season start in Louisiana?
The Commission action sets the opening date of the spring inshore shrimp season as follows: All Louisiana inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line will open at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021.
When do shrimp spawn?
Spawning usually occurs in the ocean, ranging from near the beaches to several miles offshore. A single female produces between 500,000 and 1,000,000 eggs and may spawn several times. Brown shrimp spawn during October and November, and occasionally later. White shrimp typically spawn in the spring and early summer.