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
Spinner sharkBlack tip ON the anal fin, longer snout. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Black-tipped fins but a plain (unmarked) anal fin; pointed snout; Z-shaped lateral line. More on the blacktip shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for blacktip shark in Massachusetts?
54" min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blacktip shark can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 shark per trip (aggregate). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is blacktip shark season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts blacktip 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a blacktip shark in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app