Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Cannot be possessed if tunas, billfish, or swordfish are aboard.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in Massachusetts?
78" min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 shark per trip (aggregate). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts great hammerhead 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 great hammerhead in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app