When is the best time to go scalloping in Florida?
Scallop season 2020 runs from early June to late September and it’s the perfect adventure for the family. You can snorkel underwater and search for bay scallops, which rest under four to six feet of water along the seagrass bottom. Direct transit of legally-harvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas.
Each area of Florida has a different date range allowed for scallop harvesting. FWC released this map.
FWC Scallop Season
Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones:
St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 16-Sept. 24. 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.
Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County.
The remaining portion of Taylor County and all of Dixie County (including Keaton Beach and the Steinhatchee area): June 15 through Labor Day. This region includes all state waters east of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County and north of Alligator Pass daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County. This area has a lowered bag limit June 15-30. See bag limit section for more.
Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters south of Alligator Pass daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County and north of the Hernando – Pasco county line.
When is the best time to go Scalloping?
My Fishing Buddy Charters, with over 30 years of experience in fishing and scalloping.
Scallop season is busy in Steinhatchee because of the beautiful flats and the abundance of scallops. Don’t wait to book your trip, dates fill up fast! Contact us today!