Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
How to tell it
Dusky smudge on the snout tip; small slim shark.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 54 in fork length minimum | 1 per person per day | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Connecticut | 54" FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | No size limit | 1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler) | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 54 in fork length | 1 per angler or boat, whichever is fewer | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 54 in fork length | 1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| MaineFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 54" FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 54 in FL | 1 shark per vessel per trip (aggregate); shore 1 per day | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | No size limit | 1 shark per trip (aggregate) | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 25 in total length minimum | 4 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New HampshireFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 54" FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 54 in FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| New York | No possession | 0 | Closed all yearNY DEC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 54" FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | No size limit | 1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 54 in fork length | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 64 in total length | 1 (all sharks combined, any combination) | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | No size limit | 1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined) | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 20 lb 13 oz | 2009 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 45 lb | 1993 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Rarely kept.
In the app
Point the camera at a blacknose shark and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about blacknose shark
What is the size limit for blacknose shark?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 54 in fork length minimum; Connecticut: 54" FL min; Georgia: 54 in fork length; Louisiana: 54 in fork length; Maine: 54" FL min; Maryland: 54 in FL; Mississippi: 25 in total length minimum; New Hampshire: 54" FL min; and more in the table above.
How many blacknose shark can you keep?
Alabama: 1 per person per day; Connecticut: 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined; Delaware: 1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler); Florida (Atlantic): 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel; Florida (Gulf): 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel; Georgia: 1 per angler or boat, whichever is fewer; Louisiana: 1 shark per vessel per trip in aggregate; Maine: 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined; and more in the table above.
Where is blacknose shark harvest prohibited?
New York. Release it there.
What is the record blacknose shark?
45 lb in Texas (1993), Gulf of America. Other states’ records are in the table.