Can I Keep?Sharks (all permitted species) Regulations in Massachusetts (2026)
Recreational sharks (all permitted species) rules in Massachusetts saltwater, as published by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
54 in
Bag limit
1 total per trip
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Sharks (all permitted species) rules in Massachusetts
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- 54 in
- Bag limit
- 1 total per trip
- Recreational fishermen shall use circle hooks as the terminal tackle except when fishing with flies or artificial lures.
- The following species are allowed to be harvested: smooth dogfish, Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, finetooth, blacknose, tiger, blacktip, spinner, bull, lemon, Nurse, scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, porbeagle, common thresher, and blue.
- Federal regulations may differ. Please consult NOAA's Highly Migratory Species Office.
Quick answers
What is the sharks (all permitted species) size limit in Massachusetts?
54 in.
How many sharks (all permitted species) can I keep in Massachusetts?
1 total per trip.
More offshore & pelagic in Massachusetts
- Atlantic angel shark
- Atlantic bonito & false albacore
- Atlantic Herring
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Atlantic sharpnose shark
- Basking shark
- Bigeye sand tiger shark
- Bigeye sixgill shark
- Bigeye thresher shark
- Bignose shark
- Blacknose shark
- Bluefish
- Bluntnose sixgill shark
- Bonnethead shark
- Butterfish
- Caribbean reef shark
- Caribbean sharpnose shark
- Dusky shark
All Massachusetts saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Most anglers need a Massachusetts saltwater license or registry: get one here.