Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
BagNo daily limit
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
Smoothhound sharks are exempt from the one-shark aggregate; circle hook rule applies when bait fishing for sharks.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in Delaware?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in Delaware?
No daily limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
How current is this Delaware smooth dogfish rule?
Source: DE DNREC 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a smooth dogfish in Delaware and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app