Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
Also called Blue dog.
How to tell it
Long, slim, and genuinely blue above, with huge sickle pectorals and big eyes on a pointed snout.
- Not a shortfin mako? That one stockier, conical snout, dagger teeth. (Shortfin Mako)
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 in fork length | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · CT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 54 in FL min | 1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler) | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 54 in fork length min | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 54 in fork length min | 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 |
| Maine | No state size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · likely · 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 | 54" min | 1 shark per trip (aggregate) | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 37 in total length minimum | 1 per person per day (max 3 per vessel) | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 54 in FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 54" FL | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 54 in fork length | 1 shark per vessel per trip | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 54" FL min | 1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · 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 | 54 in FL min | 1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined) | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 361 lb | 1993 · Ranger Wreck | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maine | 470.5 lb | 2008 · South Portland | Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 280 lb | 1997 · Ocean City | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| Massachusetts | 485 lb 2 oz | 2011 · Jeffreys Ledge | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 366 lb | 1996 · Mud Hole | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 528 lb | 2001 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 478 lb | 1961 · Crystal Fishing Pier | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 431 lb | 2006 · Cox Ledge | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 266 lb | 1987 · The Cigar | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Poor — ammonia-prone; nearly all are released.
In the app
Point the camera at a blue 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 blue shark
What is the size limit for blue shark?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 54 in fork length minimum; Connecticut: 54 in fork length; Delaware: 54 in FL min; Florida (Atlantic): 54 in fork length min; Florida (Gulf): 54 in fork length min; Georgia: 54 in fork length; Louisiana: 54 in fork length; Maine: No state size limit; and more in the table above.
How many blue shark can you keep?
Alabama: 1 per person per day; Connecticut: 1 shark per vessel per trip; 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; Maryland: 1 shark per vessel per trip (aggregate); shore 1 per day; and more in the table above.
How do you tell blue shark from shortfin mako?
Blue Shark has this: Long, slim, and genuinely blue above, with huge sickle pectorals and big eyes on a pointed snout.. Shortfin Mako stockier, conical snout, dagger teeth.
What is the record blue shark?
528 lb in New York (2001). Other states’ records are in the table.