The short answer: Each person can keep 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell (or 1 pint of meat) per day, and a boat can hold no more than 10 gallons total. Harvest by hand or dip net only. You need a Florida saltwater fishing license unless you're exempt, such as kids under 16 or anyone on a licensed charter. Fly a divers-down flag when anyone is snorkeling. Only scallop in an open zone during its season. Eat only the white muscle.
Daily Limits
The limit is per person, per day. A boat has a separate cap that everyone aboard shares, and it never raises anyone's personal limit.
| Who | Whole Scallops in the Shell | Or Shucked Meat |
|---|---|---|
| Each person | 2 gallons | 1 pint |
| Each boat, total | 10 gallons | 1/2 gallon (4 pints) |
| Each person, Fenholloway-Suwannee Zone, June 15 to 30 | 1 gallon | 1 cup |
| Each boat, Fenholloway-Suwannee Zone, June 15 to 30 | 5 gallons | 2 pints |
- The boat cap applies no matter how many licensed or license-exempt people are aboard, charters included.
- If you have both shell and meat, each pint of meat counts as 2 gallons in the shell.
- There's no minimum size, but it's good practice to toss back scallops under about 2 inches.
- Going back out for a second limit the same day ("double dipping") is illegal.
License
You need a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license unless you're exempt. Common exemptions:
- Anyone under 16.
- Florida residents 65 and older. Carry proof, such as a Florida driver license.
- Customers on a guide, charter or party boat that holds a valid charter license.
- People on a private boat whose operator holds a recreational saltwater vessel license.
- Anyone on an FWC free saltwater fishing day.
The free shoreline license only covers wading. Florida residents with the no-cost shoreline license may harvest scallops while wading from shore, with their feet on the bottom. It does not cover snorkeling, swimming, or using a boat to reach or leave the spot.
Costs: resident annual $17, resident five-year $79, nonresident 3-day $17, nonresident 7-day $30, nonresident annual $47. Vendors may add a small issuance fee. Buy at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, by phone at 888-347-4356, or in the FishHunt FL app. FWC's saltwater license page has the current options.
Divers-Down Flag
Fly a divers-down flag whenever anyone is in the water with a mask and snorkel.
- Look: red with a white diagonal stripe.
- On a boat: at least 20 by 24 inches, at the highest point, with a stiffener so it stays open.
- On a float in the water: at least 12 by 12 inches.
- Stay close: snorkelers should stay within 300 feet of the flag in open water, and within 100 feet in rivers, inlets and navigation channels.
- Boats passing: keep 300 feet away in open water (100 feet in rivers, inlets and channels). Closer than that, slow to idle speed.
- Take it down when everyone is back aboard. Flying it with no one in the water, including while running, is a violation.
Gear
By hand, or with a landing net or dip net. Nothing else. You also can't have scallops aboard a boat that carries a trawl, dredge, drag, or any other net.
Zones & Seasons
Scalloping is only open from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, plus the Anclote River. Everywhere else in Florida is closed.
That open stretch has five zones with different standard dates:
| Zone | Standard Season |
|---|---|
| Gulf County (St. Joseph Bay) | August 16 to September 24 |
| Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County | July 1 to September 24 |
| Fenholloway through Suwannee River | June 15 to Labor Day |
| Levy, Citrus & Hernando counties | July 1 to September 24 |
| Pasco | July 10 to August 18 |
FWC can close a zone early, or keep it closed all season. In 2026 it closed Pasco on August 6 for toxic algae and kept Gulf County closed all year for low scallop numbers. Check the FWC bay scallop page before every trip.
Transport
Only harvest, keep on the water, or land scallops in an open zone during its season.
- You can run through closed waters with legal scallops aboard, but only in continuous, direct transit from open waters to where your boat is normally docked, moored or stored.
- Don't stop in closed waters on the way, even to fish.
- Commercial harvest is prohibited.
Health
Eat only the white muscle. The rest of the animal can concentrate algal toxins.
- Algal toxins have no taste, smell or color and cooking does not destroy them.
- Don't eat scallops raw. Harvest waters aren't tested the way oyster and clam areas are.
- Numb or tingling lips after eating shellfish? Call Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
Seagrass & Shells
- Stay in marked channels and off shallow grass. Damaging seagrass is illegal in some state waters.
- Don't dump shells in channels, canals, marinas, springs, at ramps, or in busy rivers like the Homosassa and Crystal. Use the trash or open Gulf water with current.
Rules can change, and FWC has the final word.