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Sharks

Last Updated: January 27, 2026

Season, Harvest Restrictions, Minimum Size and Daily Creel/Possession Limits

Shark Species Approved for Recreational Harvest*

Season

Minimum fork length

Daily Creel Shore*

(Per angler)

Daily Creel Vessel*

(Per trip)

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Bonnethead Shark

Open Year Round

None

Each recreational shore angler is allowed a maximum of 1 shark per calendar day from this list of approved species.

In addition, each recreational shore angler may harvest 1 of each of the following species per calendar day:

1. Bonnethead

2. Atlantic Sharpnose shark

Each recreational vessel is allowed a maximum of 1 shark per trip from this list of approved species.

In addition, each recreational angler may harvest 1 of each of the following species per trip:

1. Bonnethead

2. Atlantic Sharpnose shark

Blacknose Shark, Blue Shark, Common Thresher Shark, Finetooth Shark, Porbeagle Shark

Open Year Round

54 inches

Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark, Lemon Shark, Nurse Shark, Spinner Shark, Tiger Shark

Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15

54 inches

Great, Scalloped, and Smooth Hammerhead Sharks

Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15

78 inches

Smooth Dogfish

Open Year Round

None

None

None

Spiny Dogfish

Open Year Round

None

None

None

* Sharks that are transported by vessel are considered boat assisted, and regulated under the more restrictive vessel-fishing possession limits regardless of where they were caught. All species not listed in the above table, including sandbar, dusky, sand tiger, oceanic white tip, and shortfin mako sharks, may not be retained and must be released. As of January 1, 2026, recreational anglers are no longer required to report and tag landed sharks.

Highly Migratory Species Permit Holder

Effective December 22, 2025, anglers and charter captains in Maryland possessing Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permits from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be required to report recreationally landed bluefin tuna and dead discards, plus non-tournament landings of billfishes and swordfish electronically, using either the HMS Catch Reporting smartphone app, HMS permits website, or through alternate reporting programs specified below. HMS catch reports must be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of completing the fishing trip.

A valid Atlantic HMS permit is required to fish for or keep Atlantic tunas, billfishes, swordfish, and sharks in federal waters.

HMS reporting options provided by NMFS include:

  1. Online at the HMS Permit Shop
  2. Via the HMS Catch Reporting smartphone app,
  3. By calling the HMS Permit Shop Customer Service Line at (888) 872-8862.

Additionally, for-hire captains, or other fishermen, that submit vessel trip or logbook reports via SAFIS eTrips (Mobile or Online), or Bluefin Data LLC’s VESL program, will not be required to submit separate HMS catch reports, as long as their trip reports are submitted within 24 hours of completing the trip. Captains reporting bluefin tuna, billfish, and swordfish landings via eTrips and the VESL program must report each landed fish separately, including the length and weight (actual or estimated) of each fish. Captains are responsible for making sure they are using a reporting platform that meets the requirements of their various federal permits.

More information on HMS reporting requirements is available on the NOAA Atlantic Highly Migratory Species reporting page or through the NOAA HMS permits website.

It is Illegal

  • To sell, barter, or trade sharks or shark parts.
  • To engage in shark finning.
  • To fillet sharks at sea. All sharks caught by an angler must have heads, tails, and fins attached naturally to the carcass through landing.

Shark Gear Restrictions

Anglers may use only handlines or rod and reel and must use corrodible, non-stainless circle hooks except when fishing with artificial flies/lures. You must have a device with you that is capable of quickly cutting either the leader or the hook.

Shark Rules

If you can’t or aren’t going to keep a shark you must immediately release it in the water

If you can’t or aren’t going to keep a shark you may not:

  • Sit on it
  • Hold its mouth open
  • Put it on dry sand
  • Put it on a boat deck
  • Use a gaff

Maximize their chance for survival:

  • Don’t place hands in the gills
  • Minimize fight times by using the appropriate gear
  • Know how to identify them, “If you don’t know let it go”
  • Have a release plan and make sure everyone knows their role
  • Cut the line, minimize trailing gear or use a dehooker

Shark Identification “IF YOU DON’T KNOW, LET IT GO”

Learn to identify sharks with this NOAA Shark Identification Placard

Sandbar Shark (PROHIBITED SPECIES)

Illustration of a sandbar shark showing a gray-brown body, tall triangular dorsal fin, blunt snout, and forked tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of a sandbar shark highlighting its stout body, blunt snout, and prominent dorsal fin—distinctive features used to identify this common coastal shark species found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Sand Tiger Shark (PROHIBITED SPECIES)

Illustration of a sand tiger shark showing a long gray-brown body with dark spots, pointed snout, protruding teeth, and two similarly sized dorsal fins set far back on the body, used for species identification.
An illustration of a sand tiger shark highlighting its elongated body, spotted coloration, protruding needle-like teeth, and rear-set dorsal fins—distinctive features used to identify this large coastal shark found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Smooth Dogfish

Illustration of a smooth dogfish showing a slender gray body, small dorsal fins, pointed snout, and smooth skin lacking visible spots, used for species identification.
An illustration of a smooth dogfish highlighting its slim gray body, pointed snout, and smooth skin without spots—distinctive features anglers use to identify this common coastal shark species found in Maryland’s bays and Atlantic waters.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Illustration of an Atlantic sharpnose shark showing a slender gray body with small white spots along the sides, a pointed snout, tall first dorsal fin, and long narrow tail, used for species identification.
An illustration of an Atlantic sharpnose shark highlighting its slim body, pointed snout, scattered white spots, and tall first dorsal fin—distinctive traits anglers use to identify this common small coastal shark found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Spiny Dogfish

Illustration of a spiny dogfish showing a slender gray body, pointed snout, white spots along the sides, and two dorsal fins each preceded by a sharp spine, used for species identification.
An illustration of a spiny dogfish highlighting its slim gray body, small white spots, pointed snout, and distinctive dorsal fin spines—key features anglers use to identify this common coastal shark found in Maryland’s Atlantic waters.

Shark Illustrations by Duane Raver and Kevin Ensor, MD DNR

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