Shrimping

January 24, 2014

Question: I have been an avid "crabber" in Northern California for quite a while. For a new adventure I'd like to take up "shrimping" but need some information on where to go, when to go and how to catch shrimp. Is it legal to recreationally catch shrimp? If so, what are the seasons and bag limits? Is there still a viable population of shrimp in California? Thanks for any information to point me in the right direction. (Tony M.)

Answer: You may take any type of ocean shrimp in California waters, but spot prawns are the most desirable and sought after for eating purposes. According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Environmental Scientist and Invertebrate Specialist Kai Lampson, because California's spot prawns are found so deep - usually 100 fathoms (600 feet) or more - and the bag limit is only 35, most people are not interested in trapping these shrimp recreationally.

Another option, though, are the lesser-known coonstripe shrimp, also referred to as dock shrimp for their habit of sometimes living around pilings. Unlike spot prawns, coonstripe shrimp inhabit relatively shallow water and can be fished close to shore with lightweight traps. They may occur out to depths of 600 feet, but fishermen often set their traps between 70-150 feet. The sport limit is 20 pounds (9 kilograms) per day and there is no closed season or size limit for the sport fishery. While they range from Sitka, Alaska to (at least) Point Loma in San Diego County, the highest concentrations of coonstripe shrimp are found in far northern California, near Crescent City.

To learn more about fishing for these interesting shellfish, please check out the crustaceans section of the current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations for the regulations, legal gear, limits and other information you will need to know (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 29.80 through 29.88).

has anyone try shrimping from a kayak up in the Shelter Cove area?

I wonder if it will be worth bringing a trap to GS8 and how far you would need to go.