Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · New Hampshire lists none of its own
May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
How to tell it
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in New Hampshire?
78" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in New Hampshire?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. Aggregate: Shark: 1 per vessel per trip aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in New Hampshire?
Year-round.
How current is this New Hampshire great hammerhead 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 great hammerhead in New Hampshire and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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