Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
How to tell it
Two nearly equal dorsals, yellow-brown cast.
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 | 54 in FL min | 1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler) | Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31DE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| 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 | 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-round except May 15-Jul 15MD 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 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 | Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31NJ 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" FL min | 1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · 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-round except May 15 - Jul 15VMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 278 lb 8 oz | 1995 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 397.44 lb | 1977 · Dunedin | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 375 lb | 1974 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 · GA keeps men's/women's records; heavier taken as overall |
| Mississippi | 83 lb 2 oz | 2012 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 421 lb 8 oz | 1978 · Kure Beach Pier | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 380 lb | 2010 · Hilton Head | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 470 lb | 1987 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 312 lb 12 oz | 1976 · Off Sandbridge | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Rarely kept; bleed immediately if so.
In the app
Point the camera at a lemon 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 lemon shark
What is the size limit for lemon shark?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 54 in fork length minimum; Connecticut: 54" FL min; Delaware: 54 in FL min; Georgia: 54 in fork length; Louisiana: 54 in fork length; Maine: 54" FL min; Maryland: 54 in FL; Massachusetts: 54" min; and more in the table above.
How many lemon 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); 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; Maryland: 1 shark per vessel per trip (aggregate); shore 1 per day; Massachusetts: 1 shark per trip (aggregate); and more in the table above.
Where is lemon shark harvest prohibited?
Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf). Release it there.
When is lemon shark season?
Delaware: Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31; Maryland: Open year-round except May 15-Jul 15; New Jersey: Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31; Virginia: Open year-round except May 15 - Jul 15.
What is the record lemon shark?
470 lb in Texas (1987), Gulf of America. Other states’ records are in the table.