Preparing to go Scalloping - Nature Coast Biological Station (2024)

Anyone harvesting scallops needs a current Florida recreational saltwater fishing license, unless you are scalloping on a chartered trip. A saltwater fishing license can be obtainedonline from the FWC.

Make sure you understand the open seasons and bay scallop harvesting regulations. FWC manages the fishery by opening certain zones along the Big Bend to scalloping at different times. This makes the rules more complicated for scallopers, so be sure you understand the open and closed seasons and areas.Check FWC’s websitefor the most up-to-date information on open dates and zones.

A brief summary of basic rules is provided below (current as of Feb 2021).

Daily Bag Limit:2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person; Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (4 pints) per vessel. These rules apply in all zones and seasons except in the Fenholloway to Suwannee zone (yellow shaded zone inFWC’s map) where the bag limit is lowered to 1/2 of the per person and vessel limit from June 15 to 30.

Minimum Size Limit: None, though it is recommended that you toss back scallops smaller than 2 inches across (the size of the bottom of a soda can or smaller).

Gear requirements:Scallops may only be landed by hand or by using a dip net, no other harvest methods are allowed.

Transit through closed areas:In past years, it was illegal to land or possess scallops outside open harvest areas. Starting in 2019, it became legal to directly transit through closed areas withlegally harvestedbay scallops on board. This means that you can harvest scallops from open areas and return directly to a boat access point in a closed area without stopping. You may not stop and fish for other species, for example, if you have scallops on board within a closed area. See theFWC’s regulations pagefor more, including details about GPS coordinates for harvest lines.