Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
Exempt from the one-shark aggregate.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
No limits for private anglers; party/charter vessels with federal permits must follow commercial rules.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
How to tell it
White spots on gray, a spine before each dorsal, no anal fin. More on the spiny dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spiny dogfish in other states16 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for spiny dogfish in Delaware?
No size limit.
How many spiny dogfish can you keep in Delaware?
No daily limit.
When is spiny dogfish season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
How current is this Delaware spiny 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.
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