I am thinking about digging my own sandshrimp and would like to know the best way to keep them alive. I know they are packed with wood chips, but what kind? Is there an ideal temperature? How long shoudl I expect them to live? Any additives?
Thank in advance.

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"Just Say No To Sovereign Nations!"

Riverswild the woodchips you buy by the bag for smoking fish work great.Take those same chips and wet them in the salt water the same time you get your shrimp.Your shrimp can then be stored in the frig,as for how long they last that depends on how much you change the bedding material.I used to get my own shrimp but since I'm primarily a weekend fisherman the time and effort wasn't really worth it.

Where are you going to dig the sand shrimp?
I was told to try by the everett area or on whidby island.

I have dug dozens and dozens of sand shrimp and here's what works for me.

1) Always handle the shrimp gently. (Use a clam gun instead of a shovel. Gently rinse the sand off the shrimp with salt water. They are very fragile critters.

2) Store them in a ventilated Tupperware sandwich container lined with two layers of absorbent paper towels, and a damp towel on top. (Shrimp excrete a liquid (urine?) that kills the shrimp that are on the bottom. If you really want them to live for more than a few days, change the paper towels every day or two.

3) Refrigerate at 35 to 40 degrees, or store in a cooler on ice. *(The shrimp live longer if the containers do not come into direct contact with the ice.)

***Don't forget to change the towels!***

I have been able to keep shrimp alive and feisty in the fridge for over two weeks, and in a cooler for over a week using this method. It takes alot of work, and alot of time to dig your own shrimp. It is a bummer to find that half have died over night. This method has worked for me time and time again.

Hope this helps...DB

Godlike knows the secret, follow these instructions and you will do well.
The most importtant part is changing the papertowles and keeping refrigerated.
Also if you are out on the coastal beaches bring home some sea water tofreeze these little jewels in, this is the only way to preserve them, works great in emergency situations but dontt expect them to be like fresh.
Also Dennis company in Aberdeen sells a special shrimp gun that sucks these babys right out. made of smaller pvc but twice as fast as clam guns.
Thank You.

The shrimp guns are the way to go. You can make your own for a few dollars. You need 3 feet of 2" pvc. 3 feet of 3/4" pvc. A small rubber ball with a hole drilled in the middle. A 2" cap. 2-3/4" caps and a 3/4 inch elbow. Drill a small hole for a bolt in one of the 3/4 inch caps and a 1"hole in the 2" cap. The bolt goes thru the 3/4" cap, the ball on the bolt, then a washer and a nyloc nut. This is probably getting confusing by now if you haven't seen one. Plan B, go look at one then put it together.

Also, if you have extra sand shrimp, cut the tails off and freeze them. Vaccuum pack after a couple of hours if you have one. Grab some kids and take the shrimp heads out to the sidewalk. They crawl around like battle-bots, the kids will love it!

Thanks for all the advice. Now all I have to do is find a local place to dig. Where I used to dig sand shrimp as a kid is now part of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.

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"Just Say No To Sovereign Nations!"

There are still shrimp to be had there. One of the most productive places has been on the McCalister Creek side. Park at the Luhr Beach boat launch. Go up the creek about 100 yds past the pier and start looking. Best about half tide on the outgoing. It can be muddy there...don't get stuck! Good luck.....Dan

Do you mean one hundred yards past Lure's pier, or the old pier/bridge pilings at the mouth of the creek? As far as I knew, that was Refuge land and you couldn't dig there.

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"Just Say No To Sovereign Nations!"

There is what used to be a Fish and Game facility at the Lurh Beach ramp. It has an elevated dock that stretches out over McCalister Creek. Park in the lot (will need a sticker) and walk down to the beach. You will be facing east. Turn right (south). Go under the dock and continue approx. 30-50yds. You can start digging here and work your way upstream. There will be markers above the high water mark. This is the reserve and is off limits. You can do well this time of year. Start at half tide on the outgoing. Again, it is muddy. Don't get stuck......Good luck...Save me a couple...Dan

I did a temp job for F&G about 12 years ago and we built that new pier. Actually I supervised a D&R convict crew that built it.
We used to call it the dike house. I don't know if that was 'cause of the old dikes in the refuge or 'cause of the ladies that worked there..
Yes, I know how muddy it can be. A highschool friend lost her father in the flats.
I will let ya know how I do, if we ever get a minus tide during the day....

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"Just Say No To Sovereign Nations!"