Dusky sharkin North Carolina
Carcharhinus obscurus
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for dusky shark in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also federally prohibited (HMS) — release without removing from the water.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
Often mistaken for, and their North Carolina rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dusky sharkThis page. | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
| Sandbar sharkMuch taller, forward-set first dorsal.Tell them apart | N/A | No harvest or possession | Closed year-round |
North Carolina state record
610 lb, Jennette's Ocean Pier, 1962. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
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.
Dusky shark in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a dusky shark in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appDusky shark in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep dusky shark in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also federally prohibited (HMS) — release without removing from the water.
What is the North Carolina record dusky shark?
610 lb, Jennette's Ocean Pier (1962).
How current is this North Carolina dusky shark rule?
Source: NC DMF 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.