Massachusetts state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
Bag1 in shark aggregate plus 1 additional per tripCounts 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
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in Massachusetts?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 in shark aggregate plus 1 additional per trip. Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is smooth dogfish season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts smooth dogfish 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 smooth dogfish in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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