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
Hammer's front edge scalloped with lobes. More on the scalloped hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for scalloped hammerhead in New Hampshire?
78" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many scalloped 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 scalloped hammerhead season in New Hampshire?
Year-round.
How current is this New Hampshire scalloped 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.
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