Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Maine lists none of its own
SizeNo size limit
BagNo federal recreational limit
SeasonYear-roundOpen today
Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Small gray shark with flat pavement teeth — it gums, not bites. More on the smooth dogfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in Maine?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in Maine?
No federal recreational limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in Maine?
Year-round.
How current is this Maine smooth dogfish 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 smooth dogfish in Maine and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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