Smooth dogfishin North Carolina
Mustelus canis
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for smooth dogfish, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
Smoothhound group — no federal size or bag limit; state rules may be stricter.
NOAA HMS 2026· checked Open
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.
Smooth dogfish in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a smooth dogfish in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSmooth dogfish in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in North Carolina?
No federal recreational limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
How current is this North Carolina 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.