Brown Shrimp

Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 06/30/2026). Ocean City charter and Maryland record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and bag limits before you fish—rules change.

About the species

U.S. wild-caught brown shrimp is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Maryland record catch

Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Brown Shrimp on the current sport-fish record board.

Verify on Maryland DNR — Sport Fish State Records . Record boards change when DNR accepts a new fish.

Maryland size & bag limits

Maryland’s Atlantic recreational seasons/sizes/creel summary does not publish a dedicated line for Brown Shrimp. Verify COMAR, DNR public notices, and federal rules for your exact waters before you keep fish.

Editorial only — verify before you keep a fish. Confirm current seasons, sizes, and creel on Maryland eRegulations — Atlantic seasons, sizes & limits . Rules change; this page is orientation, not the legal digest. Also see verify regulations.

Population & fishing rate

Brown shrimp are crustaceans with 10 slender, relatively long walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs located on the front surface of the abdomen. They are grooved on the back surface of the shell and have a well-developed, toothed rostrum (part of their shell) that extends to or beyond the outer edge of the eyes. The tails of brown shrimp usually have a purple to reddish purple band and green or red pigmentation. Biology Brown shrimp’s growth depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and they can reach up to 7 inches in length. They have a short life span, usually less than two years. Brown shrimp are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long. They spawn in relatively deep water. Females typically release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor. Peak spawning is in spring and summer, with newly hatched shrimp entering estuaries in February and March to settle in their nursery habitat. Brown shrimp larvae feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals). Juvenile and adult shrimp feed on the bottom at night. They are omnivorous, and feed on worms, algae, microscopic animals, and various types of organic debris. Sheepshead minnows, water boatmen, and insect larvae eat postlarval shrimp. Grass shrimp, killifishes, and blue crabs prey on young shrimp. A wide variety of finfish feed heavily on juvenile and adult shrimp. Where They Live Range Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico. Habitat Brown shrimp live in shallow water, generally less than 180 feet deep, but can be found in water up to 360 feet deep. As they grow, they migrate seaward to deeper, saltier water. They travel primarily at night, especially at or shortly after dusk, and bury themselves during the day. Inshore, brown shrimp prefer areas with muddy or peaty bottoms rich in organic matter and decaying vegetation. Offshore, brown shrimp prefer soft bottoms of mud and sand. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.

In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery. Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July. Harvest Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor. The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back. Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) . Some shrimp trawlers must also install bycatch reduction devices behind the TED, to reduce finfish bycatch. Area closures if fishing effort exceeds certain thresholds. Trawlers in the Gulf of America must have a weak-link in the tickler chain, which hangs in front of the net and drags along the ocean floor to stir up shrimp from the bottom into the net. This weak-link allows the tickler chain to drop away if it gets hung up on natural bottom structures. Fishermen do not trawl in areas with coral reefs and other known areas of high-relief to avoid damage to their nets. Recreational fishery: Under federal management, there is no recognized recreational fishery. Fishing in federal waters requires a permit. Recreational fishermen catch brown shrimp seasonally and almost always in state waters. State regulations vary from state to state. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Penaeidae Genus Farfantepenaeus Species aztecus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/30/2026

Appearance

• Brown shrimp’s growth depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and they can reach up to 7 inches in length. They have a short life span, usually less than two years. Brown shrimp are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long. They spawn in relatively deep water. Females typically release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor. Peak spawning is in spring and summer, with newly hatched shrimp entering estuaries in February and March to settle in their nursery habitat. Brown shrimp larvae feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals). Juvenile and adult shrimp feed on the bottom at night. They are omnivorous, and feed on worms, algae, microscopic animals, and various types of organic debris. Sheepshead minnows, water boatmen, and insect larvae eat postlarval shrimp. Grass shrimp, killifishes, and blue crabs prey on young shrimp. A wide variety of finfish feed heavily on juvenile and adult shrimp. Where They Live Range Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico. Habitat Brown shrimp live in shallow water, generally less than 180 feet deep, but can be found in water up to 360 feet deep. As they grow, they migrate seaward to deeper, saltier water. They travel primarily at night, especially at or shortly after dusk, and bury themselves during the day. Inshore, brown shrimp prefer areas with muddy or peaty bottoms rich in organic matter and decaying vegetation. Offshore, brown shrimp prefer soft bottoms of mud and sand. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.
• In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery. Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July. Harvest Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor. The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back. Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) . Some shrimp trawlers must also install bycatch reduction devices behind the TED, to reduce finfish bycatch. Area closures if fishing effort exceeds certain thresholds. Trawlers in the Gulf of America must have a weak-link in the tickler chain, which hangs in front of the net and drags along the ocean floor to stir up shrimp from the bottom into the net. This weak-link allows the tickler chain to drop away if it gets hung up on natural bottom structures. Fishermen do not trawl in areas with coral reefs and other known areas of high-relief to avoid damage to their nets. Recreational fishery: Under federal management, there is no recognized recreational fishery. Fishing in federal waters requires a permit. Recreational fishermen catch brown shrimp seasonally and almost always in state waters. State regulations vary from state to state. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Penaeidae Genus Farfantepenaeus Species aztecus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/30/2026

Biology

• Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico. Habitat Brown shrimp live in shallow water, generally less than 180 feet deep, but can be found in water up to 360 feet deep. As they grow, they migrate seaward to deeper, saltier water. They travel primarily at night, especially at or shortly after dusk, and bury themselves during the day. Inshore, brown shrimp prefer areas with muddy or peaty bottoms rich in organic matter and decaying vegetation. Offshore, brown shrimp prefer soft bottoms of mud and sand. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.
• In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery. Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July. Harvest Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor. The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back. Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) . Some shrimp trawlers must also install bycatch reduction devices behind the TED, to reduce finfish bycatch. Area closures if fishing effort exceeds certain thresholds. Trawlers in the Gulf of America must have a weak-link in the tickler chain, which hangs in front of the net and drags along the ocean floor to stir up shrimp from the bottom into the net. This weak-link allows the tickler chain to drop away if it gets hung up on natural bottom structures. Fishermen do not trawl in areas with coral reefs and other known areas of high-relief to avoid damage to their nets. Recreational fishery: Under federal management, there is no recognized recreational fishery. Fishing in federal waters requires a permit. Recreational fishermen catch brown shrimp seasonally and almost always in state waters. State regulations vary from state to state. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Penaeidae Genus Farfantepenaeus Species aztecus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/30/2026

Where they live

Range

• Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico. Habitat Brown shrimp live in shallow water, generally less than 180 feet deep, but can be found in water up to 360 feet deep. As they grow, they migrate seaward to deeper, saltier water. They travel primarily at night, especially at or shortly after dusk, and bury themselves during the day. Inshore, brown shrimp prefer areas with muddy or peaty bottoms rich in organic matter and decaying vegetation. Offshore, brown shrimp prefer soft bottoms of mud and sand. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.
• In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery. Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July. Harvest Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor. The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back. Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) . Some shrimp trawlers must also install bycatch reduction devices behind the TED, to reduce finfish bycatch. Area closures if fishing effort exceeds certain thresholds. Trawlers in the Gulf of America must have a weak-link in the tickler chain, which hangs in front of the net and drags along the ocean floor to stir up shrimp from the bottom into the net. This weak-link allows the tickler chain to drop away if it gets hung up on natural bottom structures. Fishermen do not trawl in areas with coral reefs and other known areas of high-relief to avoid damage to their nets. Recreational fishery: Under federal management, there is no recognized recreational fishery. Fishing in federal waters requires a permit. Recreational fishermen catch brown shrimp seasonally and almost always in state waters. State regulations vary from state to state. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Penaeidae Genus Farfantepenaeus Species aztecus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/30/2026

Habitat

• NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.
• In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery. Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip. Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear. Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July. Harvest Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast. This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States. Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana. Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor. The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back. Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) . Some shrimp trawlers must also install bycatch reduction devices behind the TED, to reduce finfish bycatch. Area closures if fishing effort exceeds certain thresholds. Trawlers in the Gulf of America must have a weak-link in the tickler chain, which hangs in front of the net and drags along the ocean floor to stir up shrimp from the bottom into the net. This weak-link allows the tickler chain to drop away if it gets hung up on natural bottom structures. Fishermen do not trawl in areas with coral reefs and other known areas of high-relief to avoid damage to their nets. Recreational fishery: Under federal management, there is no recognized recreational fishery. Fishing in federal waters requires a permit. Recreational fishermen catch brown shrimp seasonally and almost always in state waters. State regulations vary from state to state. Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Penaeidae Genus Farfantepenaeus Species aztecus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/30/2026

Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context

From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Brown Shrimp profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.

Always verify current Maryland and federal size, season, and bag rules for your exact date and coordinates before you keep any catch.

Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Brown Shrimp.

What charter to book from Ocean City

Brown Shrimp is more of a bay, inshore, or specialty harvest story than a typical OC six-pack trolling day—match the trip type to the animal.

Possible / related

• Bay guide — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
• Inshore charter — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
• Nearshore wreck / bottom — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
• Head / party boat — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.

Not typical from OC

• Casting / light tackle — Not a typical Ocean City casting / light tackle target for Brown Shrimp.
• Trolling charter — Not a typical Ocean City trolling charter target for Brown Shrimp.
• Offshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City offshore charter target for Brown Shrimp.

Start with the charter directory trip-type picker so you compare boats inside the right archetype—not a bay-guide quote against a canyon invoice.

Related reading

• Plan a fishing day in Ocean City — Pick the trip archetype before you chase a species story.
• Charter directory stubs & trip-type picker — Compare boats inside the right archetype.
• Verify Maryland fishing regulations — DNR + NOAA steps before you keep any fish from an OC trip.
• Nearshore wreck fishing hub — Structure days from West Ocean City.
• Offshore sport fishing hub — Canyon and bluewater context from Ocean City.

Fishery management

• Commercial fishery: In 2024, landings of brown shrimp totaled 35 million pounds and were valued at $56 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
• The three species of penaeid shrimp ( white , pink , and brown) make up the vast majority of the shrimp harvested in the southeast.
• This fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern United States.
• Almost all of the brown shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Gulf of America, mainly from Texas and Louisiana.
• Annual harvests of brown shrimp vary considerably from year to year, primarily due to environmental conditions affecting population size.
• Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen harvest shrimp with trawls towed near the ocean floor.
• The nets are wide in the front and taper toward the back.
• Shrimpers using otter trawl gear in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America are required to use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) .

Harvest

• See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.

Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Brown Shrimp is actually fished—see the NOAA species profile .

Seafood facts

After a real OC boat day or market stop for Brown Shrimp, Seafood after boat days covers dock buffer and cook-your-catch pacing.

Scientific classification

Plan the rest of the trip