Puget Sound shrimpfest to start on Saturday

• Published April 30, 2008

Shrimping is one of the most popular outdoor sports in Puget Sound, and the first pots of the season will undoubtedly drop into the water at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, which is when whole shebang starts.

Marine Area 13 -- which is South Sound -- is open through May 31, or when sport shrimpers reach their catch quota. Shrimpers can drop pots from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Shrimpers are limited to 80 shrimp. Shrimp pots must have at least one inch mesh.

Do not expect the quota to last all the way to May 31 -- shrimping is that popular.

The most popular shrimping spot is Hood Canal, which is Marine Area 12. Hood Canal will open for sport shrimping from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, May 10 and May 14.

For more information, call the shellfish hotline at 1-866-880-5431.