Scalloping Near Tarpon Springs: Your 2026 Pasco Zone Guide

Every summer, Florida's Gulf Coast turns into a treasure hunt — and if you're scalloping near Tarpon Springs, you're hunting in one of the most convenient stretches of legal water in the state. The Pasco Zone opens July 10, 2026, and Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday sits just minutes from the action. Whether you're a seasoned scalloper who knows every grass flat from Anclote Key to Hudson or you're planning your first trip, this guide covers the season dates, the water, the limits, and the easiest way to get your boat on the flats.

When Is the 2026 Scallop Season Near Tarpon Springs?

The 2026 bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone runs July 10 through August 18, 2026. The Pasco Zone covers all state waters north of the Anclote River, from Anclote Key Lighthouse — the zone's southern boundary — up to the Pasco–Hernando county line.

That makes this the closest legal scalloping water to the Tampa Bay and Clearwater area. There's no need to drive hours north to Crystal River or Steinhatchee — the flats off Anclote, Green Key, and Gulf Harbors are right here, and they produce.

A few things to know before you go:

• Season: July 10 – August 18, 2026 (Pasco Zone)
• Harvest method: Hand or dip net only
• License: A valid Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you're exempt
• Zone boundary: All state waters north of the Anclote River, south of the Pasco–Hernando line

Where to Scallop in the Pasco Zone

If you've done this before, you know the play: clear the markers at the mouth of the Anclote River and you're on productive grass in minutes.

• The flats north of Anclote Key Lighthouse. The lighthouse marks the zone's southern boundary. Work the 4–6 foot grass flats just north of it — clear water, healthy seagrass, and easy anchoring.
• Green Key and Gulf Harbors. Push north along the grass off Green Key and the Gulf Harbors shoreline. These flats see less pressure than the water right off the river mouth, especially on weekdays.
• Toward the Pasco–Hernando line. The farther north you run, the thinner the fleet gets. If the southern flats are crowded, keep going — the grass holds scallops all the way up the zone.

One tip the regulars swear by: get out on the morning calm. The water is clearest before the afternoon sea breeze kicks up and before the weekend fleet stirs up the flats. An early start means easier spotting and a quicker limit.

Bag Limits and Rules for the Pasco Zone

FWC bag limits for the Pasco Zone in 2026 are standard:

• Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or 1 pint of scallop meat
• Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons whole, or 1/2 gallon of meat
• Gear: Harvest by hand or with a landing/dip net only
• Size limit: None

Remember that vessel limits don't let any individual exceed their personal bag limit. And always fly your dive flag, the flats get busy during season, and FWC patrols them regularly.

Launch From Our Sister Park on the Anclote River

Here's where staying with us pays off. Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday guests can use the boat ramp at Hickory Point RV Park, our sister park located right on the Anclote River, about 20 minutes up US 19. Launch there and you're running downriver to the Gulf with no public-ramp lines and no long idle zones between you and the flats.

That combination — full-amenity camping at the KOA plus private ramp access on the Anclote River is something no other campground in the Clearwater area offers. Trailer your boat over in the morning, launch, scallop the flats, and be back at the campground pool by mid-afternoon cleaning your catch.

Make Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday Your Scallop Season Basecamp

Scallop season is short — and July dates fill fast once the FWC calendar drops. Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday puts you minutes from the Pasco Zone with everything you need for a scalloping week:

• 105 full-hookup RV sites on city water and sewer
• Cabins for crews coming without the rig
• Boat ramp access at our sister park, Hickory Point RV Park, on the Anclote River
• Minutes from Tarpon Springs — grab dinner at the world-famous Sponge Docks after a day on the water

Between trips to the flats, you're also perfectly positioned for everything else the area offers: Honeymoon Island, Fred Howard Park, the Pinellas Trail, and Clearwater Beach.

Book your scallop-season stay at Clearwater / Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday today — opening-week sites go first.

Scallop seasons, zones, and limits are set by FWC and can change anytime, including emergency closures — verify current rules on the FWC Bay Scallops page before harvesting. We ask that you harvest selectively — take only what you'll eat and leave the rest to reseed the flats. These waters have given generations of Floridians the scalloping experience, and we'd like to keep it that way.