Bay scallop season opens, July 1, in Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, NW Taylor, Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties
FWC map of 2023 scallop seasons.
Open Season Locations
The 2023 recreational bay scallop season for Franklin, Wakulla and Jefferson county, a portion of northwest Taylor County, and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24 (see blue and orange areas on map). This includes Carrabelle, Lanark, St. Marks, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa.
Daily Bag LImit
The daily bag limit is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Transiting Havested ScallopsThrough Closed Season Areas
There are different regional bay scallop seasons, but the regulations allow for the direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting through a closed season area, boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvestl; they must proceed directly to a dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed season area.
Other Bay Scallop Season Dates
• St. Joseph Bay/Gulf County: Aug. 16 – Sept. 24, 2023
This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
• Pasco County: Open July 1 – Aug. 6, 2023
This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse, including all waters of the Anclote River.
Other Regulations
• Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net.
• There is no commercial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida.
Bay Scallop Regulations
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops.
Boater and Scalloper Safety
Be safe when diving for scallops. Wear a life jacket when underway, and do not drink and boat.
When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device, and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
The divers-down symbol is a red rectangle or square with a white diagonal stripe.
Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or device in open water or within 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed.
Additional Information
For Boating Regulations, visit myfwc.com/boating
Scallop Shells and Trash: Stow It, Don’t Throw It
Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse.
Also, don’t forget to stow your trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.
Photos
Flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/albums/72157631065387456
Video
YouTube.com/watch?v=5JsUrqslew4