South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Circle-hook, gear, and fins-attached rules apply to all sharks.
SC DNR 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.
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
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 ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in South Carolina?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in South Carolina?
1 per person per day. Counts toward the Small coastal sharks aggregate.
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record Atlantic sharpnose shark?
13 lb 5 oz, Murrell’s Inlet (2009).
How current is this South Carolina Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: SC DNR 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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