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
Shortfin makoStockier, conical snout, dagger teeth. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Massachusetts state record
MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Long, slim, and genuinely blue above, with huge sickle pectorals and big eyes on a pointed snout. More on the blue shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for blue shark in Massachusetts?
54" min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blue shark can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 shark per trip (aggregate). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is blue shark season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
What is the Massachusetts record blue shark?
485 lb 2 oz, Jeffreys Ledge (2011).
How current is this Massachusetts blue 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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