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
Bull sharkBroader snout, no ridge between dorsals. 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
Very tall first dorsal starting over the pectorals; high back ridge; stocky gray-brown body. More on the sandbar shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep sandbar 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 sandbar shark?
235 lb, Ocean City (1983).
How current is this Maryland sandbar 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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