Florida Scallop Season 2027: Dates by County and Rules
Florida bay scallop season dates by zone, bag and vessel limits, license rules and divers-down flag distances. 2026 dates shown; FWC sets each year's season.
Florida's recreational bay scallop season runs in summer in zones along the Gulf coast, and FWC sets the dates for each year. As of October 2026, FWC has not published 2027 dates that we could find, so this guide shows the 2026 dates and the rules that have been in place, and tells you where to check. In 2026, most of the zone from Franklin County through Hernando County was open July 1 to September 24, with a daily limit of 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell per person.
Plan on checking FWC before you go in 2027, since dates, zones and closures can change from year to year. Below are the 2026 dates by zone, the limits, the license you need, the divers-down flag rules and the nearby ramps.
2026 season dates by zone (2027 not yet published)
| Zone | 2026 dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers (includes Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee) | June 15 to Labor Day | June 15-30: 1 gallon whole or 1 cup shucked per person, 5 gallons whole or 2 pints shucked per vessel. From July 1: standard limits. |
| Franklin County through northwest Taylor County; Levy (portions), Citrus and Hernando counties (includes Carrabelle, Lanark, St. Marks, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa) | July 1 to September 24 | Standard limits. |
| Pasco County (south of the Hernando-Pasco line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse, including the Anclote River) | Scheduled July 10 to August 18 | Closed since August 6, 2026 because of toxin-producing algae, per a secondary report; check FWC for the current status. |
| Gulf County Zone (St. Joseph Bay), Mexico Beach Canal to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island | Scheduled August 16 to September 24 | Closed to harvest for the rest of the 2026 season after low survey numbers, per a secondary report; check FWC for the current status. |
The Franklin-to-Hernando dates and the Pasco schedule come from FWC news releases. The Fenholloway-to-Suwannee and Gulf County schedules, and both closures, come from news coverage of FWC announcements, not from an FWC page we could open. Confirm all of them on FWC's bay scallop page at MyFWC.com/Marine before you plan a trip.
Bag and vessel limits
For 2026, FWC lists these limits in the Franklin through Hernando release (the Pasco release lists the same):
- Per person per day: 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or 1 pint of shucked meat.
- Per vessel per day: 10 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) of shucked meat. The vessel limit cannot let anyone exceed their personal limit.
- Method: by hand or with a landing or dip net only.
- Commercial harvest is prohibited.
- The Fenholloway-to-Suwannee zone has lower limits for its first two weeks (see the table above).
License rules
You need a Florida saltwater fishing license unless you are exempt. FWC also notes that a no-cost shoreline fishing license covers people who wade from shore, as long as their feet stay on the bottom (no swimming, snorkeling or scuba) and they do not use a vessel to reach or leave the site. Licenses are sold at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by phone at 888-347-4356 or through the FishHunt FL app. Our Florida fishing license guide explains the types and exemptions, and the Florida boating license and registration page covers boat-side rules.
Divers-down flag rules
Scalloping is done by snorkeling, so flags matter. FWC's 2026 guidance says divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag in open water, or within 100 feet on rivers, inlets or navigation channels. Boats must run at idle speed within the same distances. Florida Statute 327.331 governs divers-down flags; read the statute or FWC's current rules for flag size and display details. Keep a lookout in every direction: boat traffic can be heavy around popular scallop areas on weekends.
Seagrass and shell rules
Scallops live in seagrass. FWC asks boaters to stay in marked channels where possible and avoid shallow seagrass beds to prevent propeller scarring, and notes that damaging seagrass is a violation of Florida law in some areas. Do not toss shells in inshore waters: use a trash can or dispose of them in larger bodies of water. If you are not sure how deep a spot is, tilt your outboard and idle in. Our boat propellers guide shows how to inspect your prop after a day in the shallows.
Ramps near the scallop areas
Scalloping is usually done out of a boat, so a ramp near the grass beds saves time. Marinalo has ramp pages for these towns:
- Crystal River boat ramps (Citrus County)
- Homosassa boat ramps (Citrus County)
- Cedar Key boat ramps (Levy County)
- Steinhatchee boat ramps (Fenholloway-to-Suwannee zone)
- Carrabelle boat ramps (Franklin County)
- Port St. Joe boat ramps (St. Joseph Bay, Gulf County)
- Tarpon Springs boat ramps (south of the Pasco zone)
For other ramps, use the Florida boat ramps directory, and for tides before you go, see the Florida tide times. To read the tide, see our guide to ebb, flood and slack tide. This region is also manatee country; see manatee season in Florida for slow-speed zones.
What to bring
- Mask, snorkel and fins, and a mesh bag for the catch.
- A divers-down flag, displayed on the boat, and a float or flag for each swimmer if you swim away from the boat.
- Life jackets for everyone; see Coast Guard approved life jackets.
- A cooler with ice and a way to measure your catch. Gallons of whole scallops are measured in the shell.
- Your fishing license, and a printed or saved copy of the current FWC rules.
FAQ
When is scallop season in Florida?
It depends on the zone. In 2026 it ran from June 15 in the Fenholloway-to-Suwannee zone, July 1 to September 24 from Franklin to Hernando counties, and shorter windows in Pasco and Gulf County. FWC sets the dates each year.
What are the 2027 dates?
We have not found 2027 dates from FWC as of October 2026. Check MyFWC.com/Marine under bay scallops for the current season.
How many scallops can you take?
In 2026, 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or 1 pint of meat, per person per day; 10 gallons or 1/2 gallon of meat per vessel.
Do I need a license to catch scallops?
Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license, unless you are exempt or use FWC's shoreline license while wading from shore.
How far from the dive flag must boats stay?
Divers should stay within 300 feet of the flag in open water or 100 feet in rivers, inlets and channels, and boats must idle within those distances.
Why were Gulf County and Pasco closed in 2026?
Per a news report on FWC announcements, Gulf County was closed after low scallop survey numbers in St. Joseph Bay, and Pasco was closed because of toxin-producing algae. Check FWC for current status.
Sources
- FWC news release: Bay scallop season opens July 1 in Franklin through NW Taylor County and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (2026)
- FWC news release: Bay scallop season in Pasco County opens July 10 (2026)
- FOX 13: Florida scallop season 2026 (Fenholloway-to-Suwannee and Gulf County dates)
- FishingBooker: Gulf County and Pasco zones closed to scallop harvest in 2026