South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Release immediately without removing from the water.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Sandbar sharkMuch taller, forward-set first dorsal. 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
Low, sloping first dorsal set behind the pectorals; slender body; faint ridge between dorsals. More on the dusky shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep dusky shark in South Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in South Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Release immediately without removing from the water.
What is the South Carolina record dusky shark?
466 lb 12 oz, Charleston (1981).
How current is this South Carolina dusky 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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