New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
SizeNo size limit
BagNo bag limit
SeasonOpen year-roundOpen today
Smoothhound sharks have no minimum size or possession limit in NJ.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
New Jersey state record
22 lbStrathmere (Beach), 2020
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
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 ask5
What is the size limit for smooth dogfish in New Jersey?
No size limit.
How many smooth dogfish can you keep in New Jersey?
No bag limit.
When is smooth dogfish season in New Jersey?
Open year-round.
What is the New Jersey record smooth dogfish?
22 lb, Strathmere (Beach) (2020).
How current is this New Jersey smooth dogfish rule?
Source: NJ DEP 2026, last checked Sep 7, 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 New Jersey and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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