The Apalachicola Bay oyster harvest season opens Oct. 1 for commercial and recreational harvesters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The season continues through Feb. 28, 2027, and allows harvests at three reef sites: NWFW Cat Point, Cat Point Spur, and Peanut Ridge. The total seasonal harvest limit is 2,560 bags.
Recreational harvesters must hold a 2026/27 Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity Permit and are limited to one bag tag for a specific reef identified on the harvest tag. One bag equals two 5-gallon buckets, one 10-gallon bucket, or 60 pounds.
Oysters may be harvested only by hand or tong with a minimum size of three inches. The use of dredges or mechanical harvesting devices is prohibited above any public reef.