Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
Size54" minFork length: snout to the fork of the tail
Bag1 shark per trip (aggregate)Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
Circle hooks required when targeting sharks with bait.
MA DMF 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Barbels, tiny mouth, rounded fins; naps under ledges. More on the nurse shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for nurse shark in Massachusetts?
54" min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many nurse shark can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 shark per trip (aggregate). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is nurse shark season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts nurse 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 nurse shark in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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