Our newest little traveler is due the first week of september so, unfortunately, this was our last getaway of 2018. In 2002, scallop harvesting was reopened in the crystal river area, which has become one of the most popular scallop harvesting destinations in florida. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are.
This is a hot time in florida, so you will be experiencing your snorkeling tours in florida in beautiful, comfortably warm waters. On todays adventure july 20, 2019 we went to crystal river and tried our luck with scalloping. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc bay scallop survey by florida s original naturecoaster posted on december 14, 2018 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. First and foremost, you must obtain a florida saltwater fishing license prior to collecting any scallops, unless you go scalloping with one of our. Observing and preserving nature above, in and under water.
Scalloping season runs july 1 through september 24, 2019 where. Scallop season in florida crystal river, florida facebook. Scalloping in the crystal river national wildlife refuge homosassa. From 2000 through 2001, the scallop population has increased significantly, after harvesting was banned for several years. Saturday, there will be plenty of time to snorkel and hunt for scallops before we enjoy an evening together at crackers bar and grill. See the map below for 2018 scallop season dates by region. Scallop season varies but in 2018 it was the first of july to sept 24th. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, fwc, saltwater. Another citrus county staple, scallop season, may see changes, too.
Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. Scalloping charters scalloping in 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. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 local news.
Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc. That is a pretty warm time here in citrus county, so getting into the water feels great. Florida residents between the age of 16 and 65 must have a valid florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops. Enjoy the ultimate hunt and visit crystal river or homosassa. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, or fwc, is considering a new schedule for when people can harvest the tasty bivalves. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with. With june 1st being the first day of grouper season and doing some shallow water spear fishing every rock pile that we worked in the grass on the outside was plenty of scallops and nice sized. Your guide will show the best scalloping spots in crystal river. As in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 bay scallop season in st. This includes crystal river, homosassa and steinhatchee, the most. The florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in. July 10 th through september 10 th is the 2018 scallop season. The short season started in 2018 after 24 years of no scalloping in the area.
Florida scallop season officially started on june 16th in dixie county and parts of taylor county and closes on september 10th. Heres the latest fishing and weather forecast for crystal river. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river.
Scallop harvesting dates, locations, and rules to follow. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. The scallop population in pasco county decreased from 2017 to 2018. Joseph bay will not open with the rest of the harvest areas. 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 season begins at the beginning of july until early september every year. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and. Different regions of floridas gulf coast have staggered scallop season dates. Tips for a successful scallop season in 2018 crystal river.
The ecofriendly plantation on crystal river is surrounded by the natural springs of kings bay and pristine lakes and rivers, as well as wildlife refuges and state parks. Crystal river is one of the most popular destinations in florida for recreational scalloping. Scallop season 2020 in crystal river, fl visit florida. Scalloping crystal riverhomosassa summer 2018 youtube. Scalloping tours crystal river, florida birds underwater. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal river. 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. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. Scalloping season is just around the corner and we are headed to crystal river for a weekend full of fun and adventure. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. What youre most likely to catch in crystal river in april.
Recreational scalloping in flo rida the florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in relatively shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep. Florida scalloping season opens july 1st in crystal river. Crystal river 2018 scalloping with aubrey, tonya, and colin. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river to the fenholloway river. The scenic waterways to the scallop grounds is a part of florida that most people havent experienced. Instead, the season will open late august 17 september 30, 2018 but the bag limit is the standard bag limit. Get closer to nature than ever before with one of our licensed tours. Birds underwater dive center offers fantastic scalloping tours in florida, so stay tuned for updates as the season approached. At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. This region includes all state waters from the mexico beach canal in bay county to the westernmost point of st. So far weve been able to do a philadelphia trip, raleigh trip, yellowstone and grand teton trip, and just got back from scalloping in crystal river, fl. Here at river ventures and safaris we have many scallop options for your family including departures from both our crystal river and homosassa locations this year.
Scallops are caught by hand, while snorkeling along the beautiful salt water grass flats of crystal river and homosassa florida. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Arriving friday night, we will delight in a potluck dinner. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. Laura lou fitzpatrick owns a small business in crystal river and was a vendor during the festival who said. The commission also approved a trial bay scallop season in state. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 potential change in dates, more competition ahead. Bay scallop season opens june 16 florida sportsman. This page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to book your scallop charter today.
Scalloping in crystal river out of the office today. Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day. Harvesting is done about 23 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with some. Nonresidents over the age of 16 are required to buy at least a limitedtime license. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river. Thousands showed up to the first time festival which led to a few minor difficulties, mostly parking. Be ready to use diversdown flag during scallop season local. Citrus countys scallop season for 2018 is from july 1 to sept. We are the leading provider of manatee tours in crystal river, florida because we provide our customers with unforgettable experiences. Our adventure center is your scalloping headquarters, our in house guides are all coast guard certified captains and licensed dive masters and. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than 3000 people.
Following a couple of weeks of open bay scallop season in the steinhatchee area, its clear that the shellfish stocks there are healthy. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. Crystal river s nature coast area may be the most popular scallop harvesting destination in florida.
Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. Theres no better place to make your scalloping home away from home than the plantation on crystal river. The harvesting of bay scallops is popular in coastal communities across florida, nalley said, like in steinhatchee or crystal river. Since scalloping reopened in the crystal river area in 2002, after being banned for several years, crystal river has proven to be one of the most poplar areas for scalloping. 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 proposed in december. Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. The 2018 scallop season for citrus county runs from july 1 to sept.
1251 859 755 338 907 82 1392 26 1010 879 620 703 143 711 1484 1028 51 372 496 1160 1093 1525 87 1249 339 693 463 337 1161 832 505 521 1216