Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with. Scalloping in the crystal river national wildlife refuge homosassa. Joseph bay will not open with the rest of the harvest areas. Crystal river 2018 scalloping with aubrey, tonya, and colin. Observing and preserving nature above, in and under water. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Birds underwater dive center offers fantastic scalloping tours in florida, so stay tuned for updates as the season approached. This is a hot time in florida, so you will be experiencing your snorkeling tours in florida in beautiful, comfortably warm waters. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida. On todays adventure july 20, 2019 we went to crystal river and tried our luck with scalloping. Scallop harvesting dates, locations, and rules to follow.
Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. Saturday, there will be plenty of time to snorkel and hunt for scallops before we enjoy an evening together at crackers bar and grill. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river to the fenholloway river. Laura lou fitzpatrick owns a small business in crystal river and was a vendor during the festival who said. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal river. Another citrus county staple, scallop season, may see changes, too. Your guide will show the best scalloping spots in crystal river. A florida scallop scooper willing to travel will be able to harvest these tasty little morsels from june 16th through september 30th. 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. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, fwc, saltwater. What youre most likely to catch in crystal river in april.
Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river. Arriving friday night, we will delight in a potluck dinner. Scalloping in crystal river out of the office today. Florida scalloping season opens july 1st in crystal river. The short season started in 2018 after 24 years of no scalloping in the area. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river. Florida residents between the age of 16 and 65 must have a valid florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops.
Scalloping season runs july 1 through september 24, 2019 where. The 2018 recreational bay scallop season for dixie county and a portion of taylor county opens june 16 and will remain open through sept. Crystal river s nature coast area may be the most popular scallop harvesting destination in florida. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 potential change in dates, more competition ahead. Nonresidents over the age of 16 are required to buy at least a limitedtime license. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater.
Florida scallop season officially started on june 16th in dixie county and parts of taylor county and closes on september 10th. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, or fwc, is considering a new schedule for when people can harvest the tasty bivalves. 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. Get closer to nature than ever before with one of our licensed tours. Great family fun getting our limit of bay scallops in the beautiful gulf of mexico via crystal river one day and homosassa river the other day. The florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in. Different regions of floridas gulf coast have staggered scallop season dates.
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. Scalloping tours crystal river, florida birds underwater. The 2018 scallop season for citrus county runs from july 1 to sept. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day.
See the map below for 2018 scallop season dates by region. From 2000 through 2001, the scallop population has increased significantly, after harvesting was banned for several years. In late 2018 or early 2019, the fwc will consider setting the 2019 seasons for gulf and pasco counties, consider continuing the 2018 season structure for the remaining portions of the open scallop harvest area in 2019, and will work toward creating a more permanent season structure starting in 2020. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. Citrus countys scallop season for 2018 is from july 1 to sept. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. Bay scallop season opens june 16 florida sportsman. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. 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. The scallop population in pasco county decreased from 2017 to 2018. As in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 bay scallop season in st.
Scalloping season begins at the beginning of july until early september every year. The scenic waterways to the scallop grounds is a part of florida that most people havent experienced. Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. The harvesting of bay scallops is popular in coastal communities across florida, nalley said, like in steinhatchee or crystal river. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. 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.
Instead, the season will open late august 17 september 30, 2018 but the bag limit is the standard bag limit. Our newest little traveler is due the first week of september so, unfortunately, this was our last getaway of 2018. 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. 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. This region includes all state waters from the mexico beach canal in bay county to the westernmost point of st. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are. First and foremost, you must obtain a florida saltwater fishing license prior to collecting any scallops, unless you go scalloping with one of our. Harvesting is done about 23 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Scalloping charters scalloping in crystal river, fl. In 2002, scallop harvesting was reopened in the crystal river area, which has become one of the most popular scallop harvesting destinations in florida. 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. We are the leading provider of manatee tours in crystal river, florida because we provide our customers with unforgettable experiences. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant.
Tips for a successful scallop season in 2018 crystal river. Enjoy the ultimate hunt and visit crystal river or homosassa. July 10 th through september 10 th is the 2018 scallop season. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of crystal river and homosassa provides a salty adventure to water lovers of all ages. Scallop season in florida crystal river, florida facebook. Heres the latest fishing and weather forecast for crystal river. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than 3000 people. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. Scallop season varies but in 2018 it was the first of july to sept 24th. Scallop season 2020 in crystal river, fl visit florida. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 local news. Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones. Scalloping season is just around the corner and we are headed to crystal river for a weekend full of fun and adventure. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl.
Scallops are caught by hand, while snorkeling along the beautiful salt water grass flats of crystal river and homosassa florida. Scalloping crystal riverhomosassa summer 2018 youtube. Following a couple of weeks of open bay scallop season in the steinhatchee area, its clear that the shellfish stocks there are healthy. Thousands showed up to the first time festival which led to a few minor difficulties, mostly parking. That is a pretty warm time here in citrus county, so getting into the water feels great. Crystal river is one of the most popular destinations in florida for recreational scalloping. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. Be ready to use diversdown flag during scallop season local. Our adventure center is your scalloping headquarters, our in house guides are all coast guard certified captains and licensed dive masters and. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with some. This includes crystal river, homosassa and steinhatchee, the most. Theres no better place to make your scalloping home away from home than the plantation on crystal river.
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