Rhode Island state waters, out to 3 miles
One Atlantic sharpnose per person per day allowed in addition to the one-shark shore/vessel limit.
RI DEM 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Rhode Island?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Rhode Island?
1/person/day in addition to the coastal shark bag. Counts toward the Coastal Sharks aggregate.
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Rhode Island?
Open year-round.
How current is this Rhode Island Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: RI DEM 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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