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Oysters Regulations in Florida (2026)

Recreational oysters rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit
Size Limits: Minimum size: 3 inches
Bag limit
Bag Limit & Tags; ABRO Permit holders will be given one harvest bag…
Season
Season and Days; Open Season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027; Harvest…

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Recreational Oysters rules in Florida

Where
Apalachicola Bay
Size limit
Size Limits: Minimum size: 3 inches
Bag limit
Bag Limit & Tags; ABRO Permit holders will be given one harvest bag tag for a specific reef at the beginning of the season. A harvest bag tag can be used for up to one bag. One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.; For the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season: ABRO Permit holders must claim their harvest tags in person beginning September 22, 2026, at the FWC Law Enforcement's Carrabelle Office (287 Graham Drive, Carrabelle, FL, 32322).; Reefs Open for Harvest; FWC will announce the reefs open to harvest each season. To be open, a reef must meet the established ecological threshold of 400 bags of legal - sized oysters per acre.; The reefs that meet the threshold and will be open to harvest for the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season are RESTORE Peanut Ridge, RESTORE Cat Point Spur, and NFWF Cat Point.; The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may temporarily close the Shellfish Harvesting Area in which FWC’s open reefs are located due to a variety of reasons, including rainfall, higher river levels, and harmful algal blooms. To view the current status of Shellfish Harvesting Areas, visit the FDACS Shellfish Harvesting Area Information webpage.; Reefs open for harvest map with coordinates.; Annual Harvest Levels; Each season, FWC will announce the annual harvest level for open reefs prior to the start of the season. The annual harvest level will be evenly distributed between AB Endorsement holders.; For the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season, the annual harvest level for recreational harvest on each open reef will be: NFWF Cat Point – 44 bags; RESTORE Cat Point Spur – 29 bags; RESORE Peanut Ridge – 54 bags; One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.
Season
Season and Days; Open Season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027; Harvest Days: Saturday – Sunday; The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may temporarily close Shellfish Harvesting Areas during the open season due to a variety of reasons, including rainfall, higher river levels, and harmful algal blooms. To view the current status of Shellfish Harvesting Areas, visit the FDACS Shellfish Harvesting Area Information webpage.; Reporting Requirements; A BRO Permit holders must use the FWC Oyster Harvest App to report the following for their harvest trips: Hail out when trip begins.; Harvest location for each bag tag used.; Hail in when trip ends.; To access the recreational reporting app, visit: https://app.myfwc.com/crossdoi/lex/home/oysterharvestlogin/; Mandatory Landing Locations; Harvesters must land their product at one of the approved Certified Shellfish Processors, Boat Ramps, or Marinas listed below: Certified Processors; Barber’s Seafood ( 510 US Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Leavins Seafood Inc. ( 101 Water St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Leavins Seafood Too ( 100 Water St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Water Street Seafood ( 592 West Highway 98, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Two Mile Seafood ( 610 Highway 98 West, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Boat Ramps and Marinas; Eastpoint Landing/Patton Drive ( 340 Patton Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Indian Creek North Bayshore Drive ( 93 North Bayshore Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Indian Creek Old Ferry Dock ( 93 North Bayshore Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); St. George Island ( Bryant Patton Bridge - St. George Island Side, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Ten Foot Hole/Battery Park ( 1 Bay Avenue, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Scipio Creek ( 301 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320); John B. Meyer Harbor House ( 479 Market St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Seafood Landing Park ( 628 Highway 98, Apalachicola, FL 32320); To request a site be added or removed from this list, please contact [email protected].

Official source

Where
Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties
Size limit
Size Limits: Minimum size: 3 inches
Bag limit
Bag and Vessel Limit: Two bags per person or vessel, whichever is less, per day.; One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.
Season
Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties: Closed June 1 – Aug. 31

Official source

Where
Statewide, excluding Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties and Apalachicola Bay
Size limit
Size Limits: Minimum size: 3 inches
Bag limit
Bag and Vessel Limit: Two bags per person or vessel, whichever is less, per day.; One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.
Season
Statewide, excluding Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties and Apalachicola Bay: Closed July 1 – Sept. 30

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 3 commercial rules
Where
Apalachicola Bay
Size limit
Minimum size: 3 inches; Culling: Oysters must be culled over the bar from which they are harvested.; Undersize Tolerances; Tolerance for Attached Oysters: In instances in which culled oysters less than three (3) inches in greatest dimension are attached to legal size oysters such that to separate them would destroy either oyster, no more than 33 of the attached oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.; Tolerance for Individual, Unattached Oysters: No more than 11 of the oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.
Bag limit
Each AB Endorsement holder will be provided harvest bag tags before the start of the season. Harvest bag tags will be assigned to a specific reef. Each harvest bag tag can be used to harvest up to one bag of oysters. The number of bag tags per harvester will vary depending on the number of harvesters and the number of available bags each season. One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.; Immediately after culling and retaining an oyster, AB Endorsement holder must securely affix a harvest bag tag to each container holding no more than 1 bag of oysters. The harvester may not leave the public reef from which the oyster was harvested unless the harvest bag tag has been affixed to the container holding the oysters.; A harvest bag tag only authorizes harvest from the reef identified on the harvest tag.; A harvest bag tag is not transferable. A person may not sell, purchase, transfer, lease, or exchange an oyster bag tag.; There are no daily bag or vessel limits. Harvesters may use their harvest tags on any commercial harvest day during the open season. Harvest tags may not be used more than once.; NFWF Cat Point – 847 bags; RESTORE Cat Point Spur – 557 bags; RESORE Peanut Ridge – 1,029 bags; One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.
Season
Open Harvest Season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027; Harvest Days: Monday – Friday
  • Allowed Gear: Harvest by hand or tong only.
  • The possession of any dredge or mechanical harvesting device other than ordinary hand tongs above any public reef is prohibited.
  • Update Apalachicola Bay will be closed to wild oyster harvest through September 30, 2026. Harvest will open to Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement holders on Oct. 1, 2026. The renewal period for the AB Endorsement closed on June 30, 2026.
  • Individual or Crew Saltwater Products License, Shellfish (BV) Endorsement, and Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement
  • An AB Endorsement is required for commercial harvest in Apalachicola Bay.
  • To receive the AB Endorsement for the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season, an individual must apply for a renewal through the online Commercial Licensing System on or before Jun. 30, 2026.
  • To qualify for a renewel of the AB Endorsement for the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, applicants must have:
  • FWC will announce the reefs open to harvest each season. To be open, a reef must meet the established ecological threshold of 400 bags of legal-sized oysters per acre.
  • The reefs that meet the threshold and will be open to harvest for Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season are RESTORE Peanut Ridge, RESTORE Cat Point Spur, and NFWF Cat Point.
  • Statewide, excluding Apalachicola Bay: Saltwater Products License (SPL) and Shellfish (BV) Endorsement
  • Apalachicola Bay: Crew or Individual Saltwater Products License (SPL), Shellfish (BV) Endorsement, and Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement
  • Shellfish Endorsement Harvest Training Course
  • Shellfish Harvester Training course is required annually by all commercial oyster and clam harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish (BV) Endorsement issued by FWC.

Official source

Where
Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties
Size limit
Minimum size: 3 inches; Tolerance for Attached Oysters: In instances in which culled oysters less than three (3) inches in greatest dimension are attached to legal size oysters such that to separate them would destroy either oyster, no more than 15% of the attached oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.; Tolerance for Individual, Unattached Oysters: No more than 5% of the oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.
Bag limit
Daily Bag Limit: Twenty 60-pound bags per person or vessel, whichever is less.
Season
Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties: Closed June 1 – Aug. 31
  • Allowed Gear: Harvest by hand or tong only.
  • The possession of any dredge or mechanical harvesting device other than ordinary hand tongs above any public reef is prohibited.
  • For the full rule, visit 68B-27, F.A.C.
  • Harvest is allowed only in areas referenced in paragraph 5L - 1.003(1), F.A.C., of the FDACS Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code.
  • Allowable shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) harvesting areas are established and managed for public health purposes by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture. Shellfish harvesting areas are opened and closed in accordance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guidelines, and the open or closed status applies to both recreational and commercial harvest.
  • You may view maps of these areas and determine the open or closed status at: https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Aquaculture/Shellfish-Harvesting-Area-Classification or Shellfish Harvest Areas Map
  • Western Gulf: from Pensacola Bay in Escambia County to East Bay in Bay County
  • Central Gulf: from St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County to Wakulla County
  • Big Bend Gulf: from Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County to Citrus County
  • Southern Gulf: from Boca Ciega Bay in Pinellas County to Ten Thousand Islands in Collier County
  • Atlantic Coast: from the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County to Duval County
  • For additional information call 850-617-7600.
  • Other regulations:
  • Additional regulations applicable to the harvest, sale, and delivery of oysters established by the Department pursuant to s. 597.020, F.S., may be found in the Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code, Chapter 5L-1, F.A.C.
  • Commercial shellfish harvesters must abide by all monthly harvest time/temperature regulations pursuant to Rule 5L-1.
  • Commercial and recreational harvest by any person during the same day is prohibited.
  • Bycatch from trawling or dragging any gear over a public oyster bar should be returned to the water as closely as possible to the beds where taken and transport and sale of bycatch or oysters taken intentionally is prohibited.
  • Wholesale and retail dealers may not sell oysters unless they are labeled and traceable to the point of harvest.
  • Upon leaving an area, harvesters must pass through a monitoring station when in operation. Harvest on leased parcels is subject to the established rules unless otherwise exempted by the approved lease provisions.
  • Saltwater Products License and Shellfish (BV) Endorsement
  • The Shellfish Harvester Training course is required annually by all commercial oyster harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish Endorsement issued by FWC.
  • Statewide, excluding Apalachicola Bay: Saltwater Products License (SPL) and Shellfish (BV) Endorsement
  • Apalachicola Bay: Crew or Individual Saltwater Products License (SPL), Shellfish (BV) Endorsement, and Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement
  • Shellfish Endorsement Harvest Training Course
  • Shellfish Harvester Training course is required annually by all commercial oyster and clam harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish (BV) Endorsement issued by FWC.

Official source

Where
Statewide, excluding Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties and Apalachicola Bay
Size limit
Minimum size: 3 inches; Tolerance for Attached Oysters: In instances in which culled oysters less than three (3) inches in greatest dimension are attached to legal size oysters such that to separate them would destroy either oyster, no more than 15% of the attached oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.; Tolerance for Individual, Unattached Oysters: No more than 5% of the oysters in any bag or equivalent container may be undersized.
Bag limit
Daily Bag Limit: Twenty 60-pound bags per person or vessel, whichever is less.
Season
Statewide, excluding Dixie, Levy and Wakulla counties and Apalachicola Bay: Closed July 1 – Sept. 30
  • Allowed Gear: Harvest by hand or tong only.
  • The possession of any dredge or mechanical harvesting device other than ordinary hand tongs above any public reef is prohibited.
  • For the full rule, visit 68B-27, F.A.C.
  • Harvest is allowed only in areas referenced in paragraph 5L - 1.003(1), F.A.C., of the FDACS Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code.
  • Allowable shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) harvesting areas are established and managed for public health purposes by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture. Shellfish harvesting areas are opened and closed in accordance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guidelines, and the open or closed status applies to both recreational and commercial harvest.
  • You may view maps of these areas and determine the open or closed status at: https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Aquaculture/Shellfish-Harvesting-Area-Classification or Shellfish Harvest Areas Map
  • Western Gulf: from Pensacola Bay in Escambia County to East Bay in Bay County
  • Central Gulf: from St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County to Wakulla County
  • Big Bend Gulf: from Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County to Citrus County
  • Southern Gulf: from Boca Ciega Bay in Pinellas County to Ten Thousand Islands in Collier County
  • Atlantic Coast: from the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County to Duval County
  • For additional information call 850-617-7600.
  • Other regulations:
  • Additional regulations applicable to the harvest, sale, and delivery of oysters established by the Department pursuant to s. 597.020, F.S., may be found in the Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code, Chapter 5L-1, F.A.C.
  • Commercial shellfish harvesters must abide by all monthly harvest time/temperature regulations pursuant to Rule 5L-1.
  • Commercial and recreational harvest by any person during the same day is prohibited.
  • Bycatch from trawling or dragging any gear over a public oyster bar should be returned to the water as closely as possible to the beds where taken and transport and sale of bycatch or oysters taken intentionally is prohibited.
  • Wholesale and retail dealers may not sell oysters unless they are labeled and traceable to the point of harvest.
  • Upon leaving an area, harvesters must pass through a monitoring station when in operation. Harvest on leased parcels is subject to the established rules unless otherwise exempted by the approved lease provisions.
  • Saltwater Products License and Shellfish (BV) Endorsement
  • The Shellfish Harvester Training course is required annually by all commercial oyster harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish Endorsement issued by FWC.
  • Statewide, excluding Apalachicola Bay: Saltwater Products License (SPL) and Shellfish (BV) Endorsement
  • Apalachicola Bay: Crew or Individual Saltwater Products License (SPL), Shellfish (BV) Endorsement, and Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement
  • Shellfish Endorsement Harvest Training Course
  • Shellfish Harvester Training course is required annually by all commercial oyster and clam harvesters in order to receive or renew a Shellfish (BV) Endorsement issued by FWC.

Official source

Quick answers

What is the oysters size limit in Florida?

Size Limits: Minimum size: 3 inches (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many oysters can I keep in Florida?

Bag Limit & Tags; ABRO Permit holders will be given one harvest bag tag for a specific reef at the beginning of the season. A harvest bag tag can be used for up to one bag. One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.; For the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season: ABRO Permit holders must claim their harvest tags in person beginning September 22, 2026, at the FWC Law Enforcement's Carrabelle Office (287 Graham Drive, Carrabelle, FL, 32322).; Reefs Open for Harvest; FWC will announce the reefs open to harvest each season. To be open, a reef must meet the established ecological threshold of 400 bags of legal - sized oysters per acre.; The reefs that meet the threshold and will be open to harvest for the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season are RESTORE Peanut Ridge, RESTORE Cat Point Spur, and NFWF Cat Point.; The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may temporarily close the Shellfish Harvesting Area in which FWC’s open reefs are located due to a variety of reasons, including rainfall, higher river levels, and harmful algal blooms. To view the current status of Shellfish Harvesting Areas, visit the FDACS Shellfish Harvesting Area Information webpage.; Reefs open for harvest map with coordinates.; Annual Harvest Levels; Each season, FWC will announce the annual harvest level for open reefs prior to the start of the season. The annual harvest level will be evenly distributed between AB Endorsement holders.; For the Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027, season, the annual harvest level for recreational harvest on each open reef will be: NFWF Cat Point – 44 bags; RESTORE Cat Point Spur – 29 bags; RESORE Peanut Ridge – 54 bags; One bag is equal to two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is oysters season in Florida?

Season and Days; Open Season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027; Harvest Days: Saturday – Sunday; The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) may temporarily close Shellfish Harvesting Areas during the open season due to a variety of reasons, including rainfall, higher river levels, and harmful algal blooms. To view the current status of Shellfish Harvesting Areas, visit the FDACS Shellfish Harvesting Area Information webpage.; Reporting Requirements; A BRO Permit holders must use the FWC Oyster Harvest App to report the following for their harvest trips: Hail out when trip begins.; Harvest location for each bag tag used.; Hail in when trip ends.; To access the recreational reporting app, visit: https://app.myfwc.com/crossdoi/lex/home/oysterharvestlogin/; Mandatory Landing Locations; Harvesters must land their product at one of the approved Certified Shellfish Processors, Boat Ramps, or Marinas listed below: Certified Processors; Barber’s Seafood ( 510 US Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Leavins Seafood Inc. ( 101 Water St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Leavins Seafood Too ( 100 Water St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Water Street Seafood ( 592 West Highway 98, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Two Mile Seafood ( 610 Highway 98 West, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Boat Ramps and Marinas; Eastpoint Landing/Patton Drive ( 340 Patton Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Indian Creek North Bayshore Drive ( 93 North Bayshore Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Indian Creek Old Ferry Dock ( 93 North Bayshore Drive, Eastpoint, FL 32328); St. George Island ( Bryant Patton Bridge - St. George Island Side, Eastpoint, FL 32328); Ten Foot Hole/Battery Park ( 1 Bay Avenue, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Scipio Creek ( 301 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320); John B. Meyer Harbor House ( 479 Market St, Apalachicola, FL 32320); Seafood Landing Park ( 628 Highway 98, Apalachicola, FL 32320); To request a site be added or removed from this list, please contact [email protected].. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

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Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Most anglers need a Florida saltwater license or registry: get one here.