[22flsw] Crustaceans & Mollusks - Florida - ERegulations

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Crustaceans & Mollusks

Issued: July 2026New regulations are highlighted in redFor the most current regulations on recreational saltwater fishing, visit the FWC Saltwater Recreational Fishing page.

Regulations apply to state waters of the Gulf and Atlantic State waters extend 9 miles from shore on the Gulf and 3 miles from shore on the Atlantic coast.

« Spearing Prohibited

p Must remain in whole condition (removal of gills and guts allowed).

u Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side.

n State regulations apply in federal waters.

l Additional fishing gear rules apply. For complete guidelines, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

T Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (any hook with two or more points and a common shaft) in conjunction with live or dead natural bait.

X State Reef Fish Angler designation required when fishing for select reef fish species from a private vessel in the Gulf of America or Atlantic Ocean.

Bay Scallops l

Illustration of a scallop shell with ridged edges, commonly associated with scallop fishing and seafood harvesting.
Scallop shell – a popular symbol of scallop fishing, seafood harvesting, and Florida’s coastal waters.

Season:

  • Gulf County: Aug. 16–Sept. 24
  • Franklin-NW Taylor County: July 1–Sept. 24
  • Fenholloway - Suwannee River Zone: June 15–Labor Day
  • Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties: July 1–Sept. 24
  • Pasco Zone: July 10–Aug. 18

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 2 gallons whole or 1 pint meat per harvester; no more than 10 gallons whole, or ½ gallon meat per vessel anytime
  • Dixie and remaining Taylor County: From June 15–30, one gallon whole/one cup meat per person or five gallons whole/two pints meat per vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • Harvest allowed only in state waters of the Gulf of America from the Pinellas - Pasco county line, to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. Direct transit through closed areas permitted.

Spiny Lobster «p

Illustration of a spiny lobster with long antennae and a hard shell, commonly found in Florida waters and harvested for seafood.
Spiny lobster – a prized Florida seafood species known for its long antennae, tasty tail meat, and popularity among divers and recreational harvesters.

Minimum Size Limit:

  • Carapace must be greater than 3" measured in the water

Seasons:

  • Sport Season open July 29–30, 2026
  • Regular Season opens Aug. 6 through March 31

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • Sport Season: 6 per harvester per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, 12 in all other harvest areas.
  • Regular Season: 6 per harvester in all areas

Remarks

  • Recreational trapping prohibited. Spiny lobster permit required when license required. Harvest of egg-bearing females prohibited.

Crab, Blue «

Illustration of a blue crab with bright blue claws and olive-green shell, a popular species for fishing and seafood along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Blue crab – a well-known coastal species recognized for its blue claws and sweet meat, commonly harvested in Atlantic and Gulf waters.

Closed Season:

  • Regional trap closures apply. Visit MyFWC.com for 2026 trap closure dates and locations.

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 10 gallons whole per harvester

Remarks

  • 5 traps maximum. Trap requirements apply. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. New trap registration requirements are in effect. To register your traps, visit the Go Outdoors Florida trap registration page.

Crab, Stone «n

Illustration of a stone crab with large, dark-tipped claws and a round, brownish shell, prized for its sustainable and delicious claw meat in Florida waters.
Stone crab – famous for its powerful claws and sweet meat, a Florida delicacy harvested sustainably by removing claws while returning the crab to the ocean.

Minimum Size Limits:

  • 2 7/8" claw

Closed Season:

  • May 2–Oct. 14

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 1 gal. claws per harvester or 2 gal. per vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • 5 traps maximum. Visit the FWC crab regulations page for statewide trap construction requirements and specific rules for Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties. It is illegal to possess whole crabs, and the harvest of egg-bearing crabs is prohibited. Guidance on how to properly de-claw is also available online. New trap registration requirements are in effect—register your traps through the Go Outdoors Florida website.

Oysters

Illustration of oysters, showing one open shell with the meat inside and one closed shell, commonly harvested in coastal waters for seafood.
Oysters – a popular shellfish found in coastal waters, valued for their savory flavor and enjoyed raw, steamed, or baked.

Minimum Size Limit:

  • 3"

Closed Season:

  • June, July, Aug. in Dixie, Wakulla, Levy counties.
  • July, Aug., Sept. in all other areas except Apalachicola Bay which has open areas year-round.
  • Apalachicola Bay: Closed without the Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity permit

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 2 bags per person or vessel per day, whichever is less

Remarks

  • Harvest from approved shellfish areas during daylight hours only.
    • To check the open or closed status of shellfish harvesting areas, visit the Florida Aquaculture shellfish harvesting status page.
  • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until half hour before official sunrise.
  • 1 Bag = 60 lbs. or two 5 gal. buckets (whole in shell)
  • Harvest prohibited in any harvest area that is in the Closed status as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  • Bay County: Harvest and possession prohibited in West Bay Estuarine Habitat Restoration Project Zone

Clams (Hard) l

Illustration of a hard clam with a ridged, oval shell, also known as quahog, commonly harvested along U.S. Atlantic coasts.
Hard clam – a saltwater shellfish, also called quahog, prized for its firm meat and often used in chowders and seafood dishes.

Minimum Size Limits:

  • 1" thick across hinge

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • One 5 gal. bucket per harvester or 2 per vessel (whole in shell)

Remarks

  • Illegal to harvest from closed areas.
  • For maps and details on allowable shellfish harvesting areas, visit the Florida Aquaculture website.
  • May not harvest half hour after official sunset until half hour before official sunrise.

Shrimp p

Black and white illustration of a shrimp with long antennae and segmented body, commonly harvested in coastal and offshore waters.
Shrimp – a popular seafood species found in coastal and offshore waters, valued for its sweet flavor and versatility in cooking.

Closed Season:

  • April & May closed in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler & Clay counties

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

  • 5 gallons heads on per harvester or vessel, whichever is less

Remarks

  • For additional shrimp regulations specific to Dade, Nassau, and Duval counties, visit the FWC saltwater shrimp regulations page.

  • See 68B-31 F.A.C for more information on areas closed to shrimping

All art: © Diane Rome Peebles, except blueline tilefish, golden tilefish and snowy grouper (Duane Raver); lionfish (FWC); and crustaceans and mollusks

Florida Freshwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Hunting
  • General Info
    • General Information
    • Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
    • Contact Us
  • Licenses, Permits & Fees
    • Licenses & Permits
  • Fishing Regulations
    • Marine Life Regulations
    • Recreational Gear
    • Management Zones
    • Spearing
    • Fish Handling
  • Seasons & Limits
    • Snapper
    • Grouper
    • Other Reef Fish
    • Pelagics
    • Coastal Species
    • Crustaceans & Mollusks
    • Sharks and Prohibited Species
  • Features
    • Stone Crab
    • Atlantic Red Snapper
    • Blue Crab
    • Artificial Reefs
    • Florida State Reef Fish Survey
    • Barotrauma
    • Hooked a Bird
    • Spotted Sea Trout
    • Kids Fish Art Contest
  • PDF Downloads
    • Saltwater Angler Recognition
    • 2026 Florida Saltwater Fishing Regulations
    • Florida Saltwater Fishing

Tag » Where To Dig Clams In Florida