Great White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
Also called White shark.
How to tell it
Conical snout, black eye, torpedo bulk; serrated triangular teeth; stark white underside.
- Not a shortfin mako? That one slimmer, with smooth-edged dagger teeth. (Shortfin Mako)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Harvest prohibited | Zero | Closed year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Connecticut | Take prohibited | 0 | Closed year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Delaware | Harvest prohibited | 0 | No harvest permittedDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No harvest | No harvest | Closed year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Florida (Gulf) | No harvest | No harvest | Closed year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Georgia | No harvest | No harvest | Closed year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Louisiana | No harvest | No harvest or possession | Closed year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Maine | Take prohibited | No harvest or possession | Closed year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Maryland | No take | 0 | ClosedMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked | Put it back |
| Massachusetts | N/A | No possession | Closed year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Mississippi | No take | No take | Closed year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| New HampshireFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Put it back |
| New Jersey | Prohibited | 0 | No open seasonNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| New York | No possession | 0 | Closed all yearNY DEC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | — | No retention | ProhibitedNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Put it back |
| Rhode Island | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| South Carolina | No harvest | Possession prohibited | Closed year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Texas | No harvest | 0 | Closed year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Virginia | No harvest | 0 | ClosedVMRC 2026 · checked | Put it back |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 686.38 lb | 1988 · Key West | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 467 lb | 1992 · Ocean City | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| New York | 3450 lb | 1986 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Virginia | 131 lb | 1981 · S.E. Lumps | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Protected — never on the menu.
In the app
Point the camera at a great white 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 great white shark
Where is great white shark harvest prohibited?
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia. Release it there.
How do you tell great white shark from shortfin mako?
Great White Shark has this: Conical snout, black eye, torpedo bulk; serrated triangular teeth; stark white underside.. Shortfin Mako slimmer, with smooth-edged dagger teeth.
What is the record great white shark?
3450 lb in New York (1986). Other states’ records are in the table.