Maine state waters, out to 3 miles
Not on the Chapter 50 prohibited coastal sharks list (bigeye thresher is prohibited); a Federal HMS permit is required in federal waters.
ME DMR 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
Maine state record
Maine DMR Saltwater Angler Records (Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
The tail's upper lobe is as long as the body — the whip is the whole ID. More on the common thresher page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for common thresher in Maine?
No state size limit.
How many common thresher can you keep in Maine?
No bag limit.
When is common thresher season in Maine?
Open year-round.
What is the Maine record common thresher?
425 lb, Boothbay Harbor (1998).
How current is this Maine common thresher rule?
Source: ME DMR 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 common thresher in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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