Scalloping Season Returns to Pasco for 10 Days!
Scalloping Season in Pasco County Kicks Off in 2022 on the Florida Sports Coast:
Scalloping season in Pasco County is back for 10 days, July 15-24, 2022! If you can’t make it during this 10 day window, don’t fret…there are more scalloping opportunities in the Crystal River and Hernando County area with a much longer window for this unique ‘treasure hunt’ of looking for scallops!
In May 2019, FWC granted Pasco County with an annual scallop season that will start the third Friday in July and last for 10 days. Pasco’s bay scallop season had been revoked in 1994 due to over harvesting and depleted populations that couldn’t sustain an active recreational season.
“We’re thrilled to see recreational scalloping return to Pasco waters,” said Tourism Director, Adam Thomas, CDME in 2019. “As an adventurous outdoor activity, scallop season brings unmatched memories to countless families and friends.”
In anticipation of continued growth in popularity with the returned underwater adventure, Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is concentrating efforts to expand and improve county boat ramps to provide more trailer parking and overall better launch experiences for both local and out of town scallopers.
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“To improve access for users in and out of the boat ramps, an effort to redesign the park entrance, internal traffic flows, and parking will be launched later this year”, said Keith Wiley, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.
FWC Scalloping Safety and Fishing Regulations:
- Scallops must be landed within areas that are open to harvest
o Active scalloping area: All Pasco County waters and Pinellas County waters northof the Anclote Key Lighthouse, including all waters of the Anclote River - Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net
- Daily bag limit: 2 gallons whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of shucked per person
- Maximum of 10 gallons of scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat per vessel
- Scallops may not be possessed on waters outside of areas that are open to harvest
- Properly display a divers-down flag while in the water (see regulations)
For complete information on bay scallop harvest zones, regulations, and fishing license requirements, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s bay scallops page or www.myfwc.com and Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources at https://www.pascocountyfl.net/252/Parks-Recreation-and-Natural-Resources.
To learn more about Florida’s Sports Coast, visit the DMO’s new website www.FLSportsCoast.com or engage with the destination on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @FLSportsCoast. Let’s Play!
