Florida Bay Scalloping Season Opens July 1st Franklin, Citrus, Hernando, And Levy Counties

Calling all scallop lovers! Get ready to dive in for delicious bay scallops. The season opens July 1st and runs through September 24th in these areas:

• Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark, and St. Marks)
• Portions of Levy County
• All of Citrus and Hernando Counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River, and Homosassa)

How much can you catch?

• Daily limit: 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell or 1 pint of shucked meat per person
• Boat limit: 10 gallons of whole scallops or ½ gallon (4 pints) of shucked meat per vessel (Important: This doesn’t allow individuals to exceed their personal limit)

Read: Florida Gulf Coast Fishing Report – Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Traveling with your catch?

Good news! You can travel directly through closed areas with your legally harvested scallops. Just remember to keep moving and avoid stopping your boat in closed waters. Head straight to the dock or boat ramp to unload your catch.

Do you need a license?

Generally, yes. You’ll need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops. Exceptions include:

• Those exempt from needing a license altogether
• Those with a no-cost shoreline fishing license who are wading from shore (feet must stay on the bottom, no swimming, snorkeling, or SCUBA) and not using a boat to reach or leave the harvesting spot

Ready to scallop? Grab your license and get ready for some fun!

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Florida Bay Scalloping Season Opens July 1st Franklin, Citrus, Hernando, And Levy Counties