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Silky Shark regulations in Delaware

Sharks (Large Coastal) · Saltwater · 2026 season

Silky Shark size limit, season and daily limit

Notes

• Closed May 15 - July 15.
• Fork length (snout to fork of tail).
• Atlantic HMS Angling Permit required for private vessels in federal waters; non-retained HMS must be released without removing from the water. hmspermits.noaa.gov / (888) 872-8862.

Exact DNREC wording

Season

January 1 to May 14July 16 to December 31All Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permit holders must abide by the non-offset, corrodible circle hook requirement when targeting sharks in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (3 to 200 miles off shore).All Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) not retained must be immediately released to ensure the maximum probability of survival, without removing the fish from the water.*Special permit required - All private vessel owners/operators recreationally fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Shark Species for personal use in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (3 to 200 miles off shore) must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit. Consult https://hmspermits.noaa.gov or call toll free (888) 872-8862 for specific information and permits.

Size

54 inch minimum (measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail)

Limit

Boat anglers - only 1 shark of any species per vessel, except 1 additional Bonnethead and 1 additional Atlantic Sharpnose per angler onboard vessels. Shore anglers - only 1 shark of any species per angler, except 1 additional Bonnethead and one additional Atlantic Sharpnose per shore angler.

Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).

More sharks (large coastal)

About the silky shark

Species of cartilaginous fish

The silky shark, also known by numerous names such as blackspot shark, gray whaler shark, olive shark, ridgeback shark, sickle shark, sickle-shaped shark and sickle silk shark, is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, named for the smooth texture of its skin. It is one of the most abundant sharks in the pelagic zone, and can be found around the world in tropical waters. Highly mobile and migratory, this shark is most often found over the edge of the continental shelf down to 50 m (164 ft). The silky shark has a slender, streamlined body and typically grows to a length of 2.5 m. It can be distinguished from other large requiem sharks by its relatively small first dorsal fin with a curving rear margin, its tiny second dorsal fin with a long free rear tip, and its long, sickle-shaped pectoral fins. It is a deep, metallic bronze-gray above and white below.

Read more about Silky shark on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.

All 196 Delaware species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Silky Shark in Delaware?

54 inch minimum in Delaware state waters.

How many Silky Shark can you keep per day in Delaware?

Boat: 1 shark of any species per vessel (+1 Bonnethead and +1 Atlantic Sharpnose per angler). Shore: 1 shark per angler (+1 Bonnethead, +1 Sharpnose)..

When is Silky Shark season in Delaware?

January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31.

Is my Silky Shark a keeper today?

A silky shark is a keeper today if it measures at least 54 inches, with a daily limit of 1.