Sharks
Season, Harvest Restrictions, Minimum Size and Daily Creel/Possession Limits |
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Shark Species Approved for Recreational Harvest* |
Season |
Minimum |
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 |
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 |
Blacknose Shark, Blue Shark, Common Thresher Shark, Finetooth Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Porbeagle Shark |
Open Year Round |
54 inches |
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Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark, Lemon Shark, Nurse Shark, Spinner Shark, Tiger Shark |
Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15 |
54 inches |
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Great, Scalloped, and Smooth Hammerhead Sharks |
Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15 |
78 inches |
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Smooth Dogfish |
Open Year Round |
None |
None |
None |
Spiny Dogfish |
Open Year Round |
None |
None |
None |
* |
Sharks Caught Fishing in state Waters (Listed species represent a sampling which may be encountered)

Source: Guide to Sharks, Tunas and Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico by Rhode Island Sea Grant and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. To learn more about coastal Sharks in Maryland go to

Shark illustrations by Diane Rome Peebles
Shark Identification
"If You Don't Know, Let It Go"
shark-identification-placard

Roundscale Spearfish Look Very Similar To White Marlin
For more information on identification of swordfish and billfish, please go to:

Shark Rules (See the table for species, sizes, and seasons)
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