Pasco County Scallop Season Is Back
After a temporary closure, the Pasco County scallop season has returned. Usually scallop season in Pasco County starts on July 10 and runs through August 18. Because of high levels of toxins and algae, state officials decided to stop the season early. Luckily they decided to have Pasco County scallop season return and now it runs through September 24.
“We appreciate the community’s patience with the closure while we carefully monitored toxin levels in the Pasco Zone. Public safety is our top priority, and we wanted to ensure that levels dropped below the safety threshold before we considered reopening the season,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said in a statement. “We are excited to give back all the season days ahead of Labor Day weekend and encourage you and your family to enjoy Florida’s beautiful outdoors.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission does say that out of an abundance of caution they recommend you only eat the scallop muscle and leave the roe behind.
Where You Can Get Scallops
The area that you can now get scallops includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco County line and north of Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County. It also includes all waters of the Anclote River.
There are five areas in Florida where you can get scallops. The Gulf County zone, the Franklin Northwest Taylor County zone, the Fenholloway River zone, Levy, Citrus, and Hernando counties, and the Pasco zone.
You will need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest the scallops. There are two exceptions with the first one being exempt from needing a license. There second one is have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops.
The daily bag limit varies in the different areas on the state. You can see on the FWC website all the limits.
