Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
DE DNREC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkAnal fin is plain, snout shorter. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Black tips on every fin including the anal; long pointed snout; spins on the strike. More on the spinner shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for spinner shark in Delaware?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many spinner shark can you keep in Delaware?
1 shark aggregate per vessel (shore: per angler). Aggregate: DE shark aggregate (1 per vessel; shore anglers 1 each).
When is spinner shark season in Delaware?
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
How current is this Delaware spinner shark 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 spinner shark in Delaware and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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