TL;DR
Steinhatchee scallop season 2026 opens June 15 and closes September 7 (Labor Day). You can keep 2 gallons of whole scallops per person, up to 10 gallons per boat. A reduced bag limit applies June 15 through June 30. Book your Steinhatchee, FL stay early. Rooms fill fast once the season opens.
When Is Steinhatchee Scallop Season 2026?
Steinhatchee scallop season falls inside the Fenholloway-Suwannee Rivers Zone, and it runs from June 15 through September 7, 2026. That closing date lands on Labor Day, the same day the whole zone shuts down for the year. If you’re planning a scalloping getaway, Cabins on the Corner offers a convenient place to stay while enjoying the season.
This zone covers Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach, so anglers scalloping either spot follow the same calendar. Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sets this window every spring based on scallop population surveys, and it stays fixed once the agency confirms it. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a longer vacation, Cabins on the Corner provides easy access to the area’s popular scalloping waters.
Is Scallop Season Open in Steinhatchee Right Now?
Scallop season in Steinhatchee is open if today’s date falls between June 15 and September 7, 2026. Outside that window, the water is closed to scallop harvest, even if the weather looks perfect for a trip.
When Does Scallop Season End in Steinhatchee?
Steinhatchee’s scallop season ends September 7, 2026. That date is Labor Day, and the FWC ties the closing date to that holiday instead of a fixed calendar day. This means the end date can shift by a few days each year depending on when Labor Day falls.
Once September 7 passes, scalloping in the Fenholloway-Suwannee zone stops until the following June. Plan your last trip of the summer before that date, since FWC officers actively patrol the flats near closing weekend.
Fenholloway-Suwannee Zone Boundaries
The Fenholloway-Suwannee zone stretches from Rock Island, near the mouth of the Fenholloway River, north to Alligator Pass daybeacon #4, near the mouth of the Suwannee River. Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach both sit inside these boundaries, so the same season dates and bag limits apply at either location.
If you launch from the Steinhatchee River mouth or head north toward Keaton Beach, you’re inside this zone. Scalloping outside these markers falls under a different region with its own dates, so check your GPS coordinates against the FWC boundary map before you drop anchor.
Steinhatchee Scallop Bag Limits 2026
Florida sets a clear daily limit for scallop harvest in Steinhatchee. During the standard season, each person can keep 2 gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or 1 pint of scallop meat. Boats can carry up to 10 gallons whole, or a half gallon of shucked meat, no matter how many people are aboard.
| Period | Per Person (Whole) | Per Person (Shucked) | Per Vessel (Whole) | Per Vessel (Shucked) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard season (July 1-Sept. 7) | 2 gallons | 1 pint | 10 gallons | 1/2 gallon |
| Mini-season (June 15-30) | 1 gallon | 1/2 pint | 5 gallons | 1/4 gallon |
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the vessel limit never lets a group exceed the sum of each individual’s personal cap, so a boat with two scallopers can’t claim a four-person limit just because more seats are open.
Reduced Bag Limit Mini-Season (June 15-30)
The first two weeks of Steinhatchee scallop season run under a reduced limit. From June 15 through June 30, each person can keep 1 gallon of whole scallops instead of the standard 2 gallons, and boats top out at 5 gallons instead of 10. The full limit kicks back in on July 1.
Do You Need a License to Scallop in Steinhatchee?
Yes. A Florida saltwater fishing license covers scallop harvest in Steinhatchee, and you’ll need one before you get in the water. Two exemptions apply. Anyone scalloping aboard a licensed charter boat is covered under the captain’s license. Anyone wading from shore with both feet on the bottom, using no vessel at all, doesn’t need a separate license either.
Steinhatchee Scalloping Tips From Cabins on the Corner
Guests staying at Cabins on the Corner in Steinhatchee, FL get quick access to the flats without a long drive. The shallow grass beds near the Steinhatchee River mouth hold scallops in 4 to 8 feet of water, and morning trips usually beat the afternoon for water clarity before boat traffic stirs up the bottom.
Families traveling in a group often split between our Log Cabins for a full kitchen and gathering space, or one of our RV Sites for guests bringing their own rig. Both options sit close enough to launch early and be on the water by sunrise. Check Availability & Booking before you lock in your trip dates, since June and July fill up fast once the season opens.
Before you head out, run through our Scalloping Gear Checklist so you’re not missing a mask, dip net, or dive flag on launch morning.
FAQ
Is scallop season open in Steinhatchee right now?
Scallop season in Steinhatchee is open between June 15 and September 7, 2026. Outside that window, harvest is closed for the year.
How many scallops can I keep in Steinhatchee?
Each person can keep 2 gallons of whole scallops or 1 pint of meat during the standard season, with a boat limit of 10 gallons whole. The mini-season cuts these numbers in half.
Do I need a license to scallop in Steinhatchee?
Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license is required, unless you’re aboard a licensed charter or wading from shore with no boat.
What happens if I go over the bag limit?
FWC officers patrol the Fenholloway-Suwannee zone during season and issue citations for over-limit harvest. Fines and gear seizure can follow a violation.
Can I scallop at night in Steinhatchee?
No. Scallop harvest in Florida is a daylight activity only, and FWC regulations restrict it to legal daytime hours.
Is Keaton Beach in the same zone as Steinhatchee?
Yes. Keaton Beach sits inside the same Fenholloway-Suwannee zone as Steinhatchee, so both locations share identical season dates and bag limits.
Plan Your Steinhatchee Scallop Season Trip
Steinhatchee scallop season 2026 runs June 15 through September 7, and the best flats fill up with boats fast once word gets out. Book your stay at Cabins on the Corner early, choose between our Log Cabins and RV Sites, and call (352) 646-4222 to check Availability & Booking for your trip dates.