Spot Shrimp

Spot shrimp are the largest shrimp caught in Washington waters and the most popular. They can grow up to 9-inches in length, with most being a bit smaller. The season is very limited in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s well worth taking off on the boat for an overnight excursion to the San Juan Islands to catch! Their common name is a nod to the white spots on their body. Even though they look huge when first caught, the edible portion diminishes to more of a medium-sized shrimp.

Spot shrimp taste a little closer to lobster than a shrimp, so I look for recipes geared more for lobster. The traditional cocktail sauce is too strong for this crustacean. Our favorite method to prepare is as shrimp scampi, either as an appetizer or over pasta for a meal.