Can I Keep?Silky shark Regulations in Massachusetts (2026)
Recreational silky shark rules in Massachusetts saltwater, as published by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Last checked November 7, 2026.
Bag limit
Prohibited
Season
Prohibited from harvest
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Silky shark rules in Massachusetts
- Where
- Statewide
- Bag limit
- Prohibited
- Season
- Prohibited from harvest
- Recreational fishermen shall use circle hooks as the terminal tackle except when fishing with flies or artificial lures.
- The following species are prohibited from harvest and if incidentally caught, must be immediately returned to the water in such a manner as to ensure maximum probability of survival: silky, sandbar, sand tiger, bigeye sand tiger, whale, basking, white, dusky, bignose, Galapagos, Night, Caribbean reef, Narrowtooth, Caribbean sharpnose, smalltail, Atlantic angel, longfin mako, shortfin mako, bigeye thresher, sharpnose sevengill, bluntnose sixgill, bigeye sixgill and oceanic whitetip
Quick answers
How many silky shark can I keep in Massachusetts?
Prohibited.
When is silky shark season in Massachusetts?
Prohibited from harvest. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.
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.