Rhode Island state waters, out to 3 miles
Shared recreational shark bag per RI 250-RICR-90-00-3 §3.18.1.
RI DEM 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkAnal fin is plain, snout shorter. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Black tips on every fin including the anal; long pointed snout; spins on the strike. More on the spinner shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for spinner shark in Rhode Island?
54" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many spinner shark can you keep in Rhode Island?
1 shark/person/day from shore or 1/vessel/day. Counts toward the Coastal Sharks aggregate.
When is spinner shark season in Rhode Island?
Open year-round.
How current is this Rhode Island spinner 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a spinner shark in Rhode Island and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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