Theres a big push to stop the throwing of scallop shells in the river and canals. Summer is the time when the florida scalloping season officially kicks off. Recreational boating in the nature coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion at boat ramps. Bay scallop season in natural north florida bay scallops are legal game in the gulf from june 25 until september 25, 2016 and our ports between horseshoe beach and st.
As in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 bay scallop season in st. Crystal river opening weekend of scallop season 2018. Also, there is now a short season in pasco county from aripeka down to anclote key in tarpon springs. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved regionallyspecific bay scallop open season dates for 2018, including a change to the season for levy, citrus and hernando counties that was proposed in december. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc is gathering input on the bay scallop season structure for 2020 and beyond via an online survey. In some places, commercial scallop fishing is banned, but recreational scallop fishing is popular. Bay scallop season opens july 1 in franklinnw taylor and levyhernando counties florida boating resource guide pingback. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of crystal river and homosassa provides. Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc bay. The steinhatchee inn is an allsuites inn, we look forward to welcoming you. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with. Summertime is when scallop season begins around the globe.
Thousands of residents and visitors will flock to the shallow coastal areas of floridas big bend to go scalloping and seek out their limit of the sweet and tasty meat. It is legal to gather scallops north of the pascohernando aripeka county line to the west bank of the mexico beach canal in bay county. By linesider 159, june 5, 2018 in florida west central. The 2019 regional seasons for bay scallop harvest from franklin through hernando counties will be the same as 2018. The fwc is very interested in understanding whether the public prefers regional differences in the season dates or a consistent season across the harvest area, as well as what season dates work best. Different regions of floridas gulf coast have staggered scallop season dates.
Nestled in the wild habitat preserves of steinhatchee, fl, the steinhatchee river inn provides the charm of a comfortable, country setting. In late 2018 or early 2019, the fwc will set the 2019 seasons for gulf and pasco counties, consider continuing the 2018 season structure for the remaining portions of the open scallop harvest area in 2019, and will work toward creating a more permanent season structure for 2020 and beyond. There arent many better ways to spend a day than snorkeling in the clear waters of the gulf of mexico while on the hunt for scallops. Scallop harvesting dates, locations, and rules to follow tallahassee. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, fwc, saltwater, fishing, season, rules, scallops, gulf of mexico. Joseph bay will not open with the rest of the harvest areas. Bay scallop fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with some changes from original proposal at its february meeting near tallahassee, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved regionallyspecific bay scallop open season dates for 2018, including a change to the season for levy, citrus and hernando counties that was. We invite you to come stay awhile, you are sure to take away. Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc. At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. Prior to 2018, scalloping had not been available in pasco county.
Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. Citrus countys scallop season for 2018 is from july 1 to sept. Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. At one time scallops were reported from palm beach to. Direct transit of legallyharvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. Recreational scalloping in florida the florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in relatively shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep. The florida fish and wildlife commission has decided to allow a 10day scalloping season off the coast of pasco in july. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river. This page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to. The splendid river views and majestic sunsets are yours to keep. A snorkeler swims by a diversdown flag thats correctly displayed on a buoy. By floridas original naturecoaster posted on december 14, 2018. Scallop season 2020 in crystal river, fl visit florida. There are new approved regionallyspecific bay scallop open season dates for 2018 according to the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission.
Scalloping in crystal river 2020 scalloping season crystal river, fl. A florida scallop scooper willing to travel will be able to harvest these tasty little morsels from june 16th through september 30th. Japan and china also produce an abundance of scallops each season. Wjhg wecp florida fish and wildlife officials have released the dates for the 2018 scallop season. Dates for 2019 should be established during late 2018 or early 2019. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. Book our blue pelican marina vacation rental house now for the 2018 scallop season which start on july 1 st through september 25 th in hernando county. Recreational scalloping season 2019 ufifas nature coast. Direct access to the gulf without all the boat traffic. Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 12 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river to the fenholloway river.
Bay scallop harvesting season 2019 dates new port richey, fl for those craving freshly harvested panseared scallops or, perhaps, scallops sauteed in butter wine sauce, the wait is almost over. During scallop season in florida, boaters and swimmers flock to places like port st. Joseph bay, scallop season runs six weeks this year. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018. In late 2018 or early 2019, the fwc will consider setting the 2019 seasons for gulf and pasco counties, consider continuing the 2018 season structure for the remaining portions of the open scallop harvest area in 2019, and will work toward creating a more permanent season structure starting in 2020. What you need to know there are many reasons to celebrate summer in florida, and many others to curse it, but one of. The revamp includes moving the scallop season in st. Bay scallop harvesting season 2019 dates new port richey, fl for. Fwc commissioners will schedule 2019s scallop season dates in either late 2018 or early 2019, and want to know how this years season goes. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. The gulf coasts scallop season runs july 1 through sept. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with some.
The short season started in 2018 after 24 years of no scalloping. Bay scallop season opens june 16 florida sportsman. The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. A lot of signs all over and rumors that an enforceable ordinance will be in place for next year if the education programs dont work. Instead, the season will open late august 17 september 30, 2018 but the bag limit is the standard bag limit. Natural north floridas 2018 bay scallop season opens soon.
Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant. Fwc finalizes 2018 scallop season news the star, port. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. In late 2018 or early 2019, the fwc will consider setting the 2019 seasons for gulf and pasco counties, consider continuing the 2018 season structure for. There are many reasons to celebrate summer in florida, and many others to curse it, but one of the best treats is the opening of scallop season. Franklin county through northwestern taylor county including carrabelle, lanark and st. Steinhatchee river inn steinhatchee river inn official.
Thousands of residents and visitors will flock to the shallow coastal areas of floridas. Thats a shorter season than the one for lobsters, but, while it lasts, its just about as much fun as you and your family can have. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. Bay scallop season opens june 16 in dixie county and a. Map by the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission. Scallop harvesting dates, locations, and rules to follow. The commission also approved a trial bay scallop season in state waters off pasco county in 2018. Scallop season 2019 a day full of scalloping and boating fails in port st. The scallop hunter complete resource for recreational. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. The following regionallyspecific bay scallop open seasons will be created by executive order for 2018 only.
Last week the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission formally approved new, regionspecific, bay scallop seasons for 2018. Scallop season returning to pasco county bay news 9. Joe, keaton beach, steinhatchee, crystal river and homosassa. The florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that grows and lives in seagrass beds in relatively shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep.
The 2018 recreational bay scallop season for dixie county and a. Commercial scallop fishing is concentrated off the northeastern coast of the united states and the eastern coast of canada. Recreational harvesters need a florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. The 2019 regional seasons for bay scallop harvest from franklin through hernando. At its february meeting near tallahassee, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved regionallyspecific bay scallop open season dates for 2018, including a change to the season for levy, citrus and hernando counties that was proposed in december. It is legal to land up to two gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of scallop meat each day during the open season. A florida scallop scooper willing to travel will be able to. Published on jul 9, 2018 tried to do a little fishing and scalloping on opening weekend with colin and aubrey but the rain was horrible when we tried to fish. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. In florida, the waters in the gulf of mexico that are open to scallop harvest extend from the pascohernando county line near aripeka latitude 28 degrees, 26. The 2018 recreational bay scallop season for dixie county and a portion of taylor county opens june 16 and will remain open through sept. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. You can find charter captains, boat ramp information, places to stay, maps of the area, and maps to the boat ramps as well as marinas, dive shops, and additional resources in each area. In late 2018 or early 2019, the fwc will set the 2019 seasons for gulf and pasco counties, consider continuing the 2018 season structure for the remaining portions of the open scallop harvest area in 2019, and will work toward creating a.
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