Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
On Virginia's recreationally prohibited shark list (4VAC20-490-20).
VMRC 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.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
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 Virginia?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Virginia. Release it in the water where you can. On Virginia's recreationally prohibited shark list (4VAC20-490-20).
What is the Virginia record dusky shark?
673 lb, S.E. Lumps (1982).
How current is this Virginia dusky shark rule?
Source: VMRC 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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