Connecticut state waters, out to 3 miles
On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
CT DEEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Bull sharkBroader snout, no ridge between dorsals. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Connecticut state record
CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Very tall first dorsal starting over the pectorals; high back ridge; stocky gray-brown body. More on the sandbar shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep sandbar shark in Connecticut?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Connecticut. Release it in the water where you can. On CT's prohibited shark list; no take or possession regardless of federal permit.
What is the Connecticut record sandbar shark?
118 lb 7 oz, CT River, Old Saybrook (1995).
How current is this Connecticut sandbar shark rule?
Source: CT DEEP 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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