Sharks

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

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, oceanic white tip, and shortfin mako sharks, may not be retained and must be released.

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”

NOAA Shark Identification and Federal Regulations guide for recreational fishing in the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The guide includes illustrations and descriptions of shark species, federal fishing permit requirements, minimum size limits, and prohibited species. Anglers must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks and follow regulations to support sustainable shark conservation. If you don’t know, let it go. — NOAA Shark Identification and Federal Regulations guide for recreational anglers in the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. This guide outlines authorized shark species, size limits, prohibited species, and proper fishing gear requirements to support sustainable shark conservation. Follow Maryland and federal fishing regulations to protect marine ecosystems. 'If you don’t know, let it go.'

NOAA shark identification guide for non-ridgeback shark species in the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. This detailed key helps anglers distinguish between shark species, including mako, thresher, bull, blacktip, and porbeagle sharks. Proper identification is essential for compliance with Maryland and federal fishing regulations to support sustainable shark conservation. — NOAA shark identification guide for non-ridgeback sharks in the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. This visual key helps anglers identify species like mako, thresher, bull, blacktip, and porbeagle sharks, ensuring compliance with Maryland and federal fishing regulations. Proper shark identification supports sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. 'If you don’t know, let it go.'

Maryland manages 41 species of coastal sharks, including spiny dogfish.

Shark management is a joint effort of the State of Maryland, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

Learn to identify sharks using this NOAA Shark Identification Placard from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.