Last Updated on February 23, 2023
Summer is when the 2022 Florida Scalloping Season officially kicks off. A Florida scallop scooper willing to travel in 2022 will be able to harvest these tasty little morsels from June 15th through September 24th.
However, consider this a warning … Scalloping is addictive! The more you find, the more you want. It’s a lot like an underwater Easter egg hunt. But, there are limits and bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones:
2022 Florida Scalloping Zones
St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County
Aug. 16 through 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. NOTE: The area marked with FWC buoys south of Black’s Island is a Bay Scallop Restoration Area and no scalloping or anchoring is allowed there.
Franklin County through Northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark, and St. Marks)
July 1 through Sept. 24. This region also 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.
Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers Zone (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.
- Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the Homosassa River or Crystal River. 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.
Pasco County:
July 15-24, 2022 (opens third Friday in July and continues 10 days). This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando – Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and includes all waters of the Anclote River.
Daily Bag Limit:
- Gulf-NW Taylor County and Levy-Pasco County:
- Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat
- Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (1/2 gallon = 4 pints)
- Fenholloway through Suwannee River Zone:
- June 15-30:
- Per person: 1 gallon whole bay scallops in shell or one cup shucked
- Per vessel: 5 gallons whole or two pints shucked
- July 1-Labor Day
- Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat
- Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (1/2 gallon = 4 pints)
- June 15-30:
NOTE: Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Minimum Size Limit: None
Gear Requirements:
- Legal Gear: Harvest permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net
Commercial harvest is prohibited.
Back on shore, many local restaurants will cook the scallops (for an extra charge). It’s best to call ahead and make sure. Some families haul grills with them and also cook outside their hotel rooms.
You don’t need many ingredients, just add butter and a little seasoning and you have a scrumptious five-star meal. If you are looking for delicious, Florida scallop and seafood recipes, check out these two fabulous Florida cookbooks – A Tale of Two Florida Cookbooks!
Other Things to Know If You Go
- Best Days To Go Scalloping during Florida scalloping season: On Weekdays, try to avoid the weekend crowds
- It is illegal to possess bay scallops on waters outside open harvest areas or during the closed season.
- Legal Gear: Harvest permitted only by hand or also by using a landing or dip net
- Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are: 1. exempt from needing a license or; 2. have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e. feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel, or SCUBA and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
Consult the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation for more information.
Finding a Scalloping Tour Guide
A complete tour should include snorkeling equipment, ice chests for preserving the catch, and drinks during the trip. Any regular boat tour must also include a fishing license because this is a legal requirement to go scalloping in Florida.
Costs
Generally, a guide will charge $95 per person for a half-day (approximately 5 hours) trip. We hear great things about River Ventures. (It has been a couple of years since went scalloping, so we’d love to hear from you in the comments if you have any tour guide recommendations).
Citrus County Scallop Packages (Includes Lodging)
In operation since 1962, the Plantation Resort has been hosting divers and scallopers for years. The easy access to Crystal River’s Kings Bay and springs allows boats to take visitors for tours of all kinds – dive trips, manatee swims, and also scalloping tours.
The Plantation 2022 Florida Scalloping Packages include a two-night stay with daily breakfast for two, a guided scalloping trip for two including mask, snorkel and fins with one of Crystal Rivers top captains, a souvenir bag with mesh scalloping bag, scallop recipes and water, one lunch or dinner where the restaurant will cook your scallop catch, plus two side dishes. Rates start at $238 per person, double occupancy.
If you want a sneak peek, check out their live river cam.
An alternative to the Plantation is Crystal River’s Holiday Inn Express. It’s clean and has weekday scalloper rates.
Some Citrus County restaurants that will cook your scallop catch: Charlie’s Fish House, Dan’s Clam Stand, Peck’s Old Port Cove, and Oysters of Crystal River to name a few.
Other Florida Scalloping Season Destinations
Steinhatchee, Dixie County
For Dixie County’s Steinhatchee area, consider starting at the Sea Hag Marina or the River Haven Marina. Try Captains Steve Rassel or also Randall Hewitt (call Sea Hag Marina) for scalloping. The Sea Hag Marina also has a fleet of 24-foot rental boats for those that want to venture on their own.
For true authentic Florida lodging, the Sea Hag Marina also rents brightly colored “fish camp” cottages directly across the street.
Steinhatchee restaurants Fiddler’s Restaurant and Roy’s will cook your fresh scallops and both also specialize in fresh seafood.
St. Joseph Bay, Gulf County (Florida Panhandle)
On the Florida Panhandle, Gulf County is a go-to place for the Florida scalloping season. Port St. Joe is the main town and St. Joseph Bay is the scalloping area. What is unique about this area is that if you don’t want to bother with a boat, you can also easily access the shallow scalloping areas by wading in. Drive along the coastal Highway 98, look for crowds of people, (which usually means they have found scallops), park your car on the side of the road, and wade in with your buckets! (Make sure you also have your license.)
Another place to go is St. Joseph’s Peninsula State Park, where there is also easy access to the bay.
In Gulf County, if you want to enjoy the adventure on the water, many fishing guides will take you out. Happy Ours Kayaking will do guided scallop trips (via kayak). Daly’s Dock & Dive will rent inflatable boats.
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
Recommended places to stay in the main town of Port St. Joe are Port Inn & Cottages, for more moderate pricing, Tiki Palms Inn B & B, or also the upscale Turtle Beach Inn, east of Port St. Joe on Indian Pass.
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park has wonderful cabins but requires advance reservations. Additionally, many individual properties are available for rent situated on or near the bay.
Pasco County
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s approval of a 10-day trial season for state waters off Pasco also opens a fresh opportunity for boaters and divers that was traditionally restricted.
The 2022 Florida scalloping season adds yet another attraction to the area’s popular fishing draw and pristine beaches including Anclote Key Preserve State Park off the New Port Richey coastline. Visitors launching from the Port Richey boat ramp will also find expanded offerings along the waterfront including Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill.
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