Maryland state waters, out to 3 miles
Not on Maryland's authorized shark list - must be released immediately.
MD DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Sandbar sharkMuch taller, forward-set first dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Maryland state record
MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Low, sloping first dorsal set behind the pectorals; slender body; faint ridge between dorsals. More on the dusky shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep dusky shark in Maryland?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Maryland. Release it in the water where you can. Not on Maryland's authorized shark list - must be released immediately.
What is the Maryland record dusky shark?
469 lb, Ocean City (1982).
How current is this Maryland dusky shark rule?
Source: MD DNR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 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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