Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Maine lists none of its own
SizeNo size limit
Bag1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit)
SeasonYear-roundOpen today
Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Shovel-shaped rounded hammer — the small, friendly-looking hammerhead. More on the bonnethead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for bonnethead in Maine?
No size limit.
How many bonnethead can you keep in Maine?
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit).
When is bonnethead season in Maine?
Year-round.
How current is this Maine bonnethead rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a bonnethead in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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