PASCO COUNTY – The 2025 recreational bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone opened July 10 and will remain open through Aug. 18.
This includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, including all waters of the Anclote River.
Whether you’re a seasoned scalloper or giving it a try for the first time, Florida’s Sports Coast, the official Tourism Office of Pasco County, offers experienced local guides and charter companies to help you make the most of scalloping season.
“This is such a special time of year for our community,” said Adam Thomas, executive director for Florida’s Sports Coast. “Scalloping is a fun, family-friendly adventure that brings generations together, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back for another fantastic season.”
The daily bag limit is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel per day.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab.
Although bay scallop season dates can vary by region, regulations do allow the direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting, boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest and instead must proceed directly to the dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed area.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or 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).
Visit flsportscoast.com/scalloping for tips on how your family can enjoy Pasco’s Bay scallop season.
