Scallop season crystal river florida 2018

Following a couple of weeks of open bay scallop season in the steinhatchee area, its clear that the shellfish stocks there are healthy. Scalloping in crystal river out of the office today. Scallop harvesting dates, locations, and rules to follow. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. Scalloping crystal riverhomosassa summer 2018 youtube. Different regions of floridas gulf coast have staggered scallop season dates. The scenic waterways to the scallop grounds is a part of florida that most people havent experienced. Thousands showed up to the first time festival which led to a few minor difficulties, mostly parking. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, or fwc, is considering a new schedule for when people can harvest the tasty bivalves. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 local news. 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 page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to book your scallop charter today. 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. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, fwc, saltwater. Scallop season may see big changes in 2018 potential change in dates, more competition ahead. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. First and foremost, you must obtain a florida saltwater fishing license prior to collecting any scallops, unless you go scalloping with one of our. This is a hot time in florida, so you will be experiencing your snorkeling tours in florida in beautiful, comfortably warm waters. 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. The 2018 recreational bay scallop season for dixie county and a portion of taylor county opens june 16 and will remain open through sept.

At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. Citrus countys scallop season for 2018 is from july 1 to sept. Scallop season dates for 2019 please participate in fwc. Laura lou fitzpatrick owns a small business in crystal river and was a vendor during the festival who said. Harvesting is done about 23 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater. Enjoy the ultimate hunt and visit crystal river or homosassa. The harvesting of bay scallops is popular in coastal communities across florida, nalley said, like in steinhatchee or crystal river. Scalloping tours crystal river, florida birds underwater. Heres the latest fishing and weather forecast for crystal river. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal river. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day.

Scallops are caught by hand, while snorkeling along the beautiful salt water grass flats of crystal river and homosassa florida. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with. Get closer to nature than ever before with one of our licensed tours. 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. Your guide will show the best scalloping spots in crystal river. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river. Arriving friday night, we will delight in a potluck dinner. From 2000 through 2001, the scallop population has increased significantly, after harvesting was banned for several years. Crystal river is one of the most popular destinations in florida for recreational scalloping. Nonresidents over the age of 16 are required to buy at least a limitedtime license. Crystal river 2018 scalloping with aubrey, tonya, and colin. Our newest little traveler is due the first week of september so, unfortunately, this was our last getaway of 2018.

Tips for a successful scallop season in 2018 crystal river. This includes crystal river, homosassa and steinhatchee, the most. Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. In 2002, scallop harvesting was reopened in the crystal river area, which has become one of the most popular scallop harvesting destinations in florida. 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. Birds underwater dive center offers fantastic scalloping tours in florida, so stay tuned for updates as the season approached. Fwc approves regional bay scallop seasons for 2018 with some. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than. A florida scallop scooper willing to travel will be able to harvest these tasty little morsels from june 16th through september 30th. 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. Another citrus county staple, scallop season, may see changes, too. Scalloping season runs july 1 through september 24, 2019 where. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and. Our adventure center is your scalloping headquarters, our in house guides are all coast guard certified captains and licensed dive masters and. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river. Scallop season 2020 in crystal river, fl visit florida. Joseph bay will not open with the rest of the harvest areas. 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.

Instead, the season will open late august 17 september 30, 2018 but the bag limit is the standard bag limit. Florida scalloping season opens july 1st in crystal river. Observing and preserving nature above, in and under water. The scallop population in pasco county decreased from 2017 to 2018. Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. The short season started in 2018 after 24 years of no scalloping in the area. Crystal river s nature coast area may be the most popular scallop harvesting destination in florida. On todays adventure july 20, 2019 we went to crystal river and tried our luck with scalloping.

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. The florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in. Scalloping season begins at the beginning of july until early september every year. 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. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. The 2018 scallop season for citrus county runs from july 1 to sept. Florida residents between the age of 16 and 65 must have a valid florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river to the fenholloway river. Bay scallops may only be harvested in state waters from the following zones. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida.

Florida scallop season officially started on june 16th in dixie county and parts of taylor county and closes on september 10th. Scallop season in florida crystal river, florida facebook. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant. 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. Be ready to use diversdown flag during scallop season local. Bay scallop season opens june 16 florida sportsman. July 10 th through september 10 th is the 2018 scallop season. Scalloping charters 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.

This region includes all state waters from the mexico beach canal in bay county to the westernmost point of st. That is a pretty warm time here in citrus county, so getting into the water feels great. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. Scalloping in the crystal river national wildlife refuge homosassa.

As in 2016 and 2017, the 2018 bay scallop season in st. 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. 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. The commission also approved a trial bay scallop season in state. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than 3000 people. Scalloping season is just around the corner and we are headed to crystal river for a weekend full of fun and adventure.