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
Blacktip sharkAnal fin is plain, snout shorter. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Black tips on every fin including the anal; long pointed snout; spins on the strike. More on the spinner shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for spinner shark in Massachusetts?
54" min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many spinner shark can you keep in Massachusetts?
1 shark per trip (aggregate). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per trip) aggregate.
When is spinner shark season in Massachusetts?
Open year-round.
How current is this Massachusetts spinner 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 spinner shark in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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