Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Circle hooks required when targeting sharks with bait.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 in shark aggregate plus 1 additional per trip. Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: MA DMF 2026, last checked Sep 7, 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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