08/13/2026
We’re bummed too. FWC announced today that the 2026 scallop season in the Gulf County Zone, including St. Joseph Bay, is CLOSED due to very low scallop numbers.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day on the water! ☀️🚤 St. Joe Bay and Scallop Cove are still open for boating, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and pontoon boat rentals.
Already have a pontoon reservation? We encourage you to keep it! There’s still so much to see and do on St. Joe Bay—cruise the shoreline, fish, swim, snorkel, look for dolphins or just enjoy a beautiful day on the water. 🌊🐬
No scallops this year, but still plenty of reasons to get out on the bay. 💙
August 13, 2026
Media contact: FWC Press Office, 850-488-4676, [email protected]
Closure of Gulf County Zone for 2026 regional bay scallop season
Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the closure of the 2026 recreational bay scallop harvest season in the Gulf County Zone. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County, including St. Joseph Bay.
A summer 2026 survey by FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Joseph Bay showed very low bay scallop abundance. This precautionary closure is intended to increase the chances that existing scallops can produce enough offspring to preserve and support future scallop seasons in the region. FWC will work with the community to identify and implement restoration efforts and will continue to monitor the situation.
While scallop harvesting is prohibited in the Gulf County Zone this season, the area is still open for other recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming.
State waters of Franklin County east of the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island through Hernando County remain open to the recreational harvest of scallops.
For more information and updates, visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/424d03e