Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark regulations in Maryland

Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 1.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Shore anglers (MD tidal waters)	Open year-round	No size limit	1 of each species (1 bonnethead + 1 Atlantic sharpnose) per angler per calendar day, in addition to the 1 approved-list shark
Vessel anglers (MD tidal waters)	Open year-round	No size limit	1 of each species (1 bonnethead + 1 Atlantic sharpnose) per angler per trip, in addition to the vessel's 1 approved-list shark per trip

Notes

No minimum size for these two species.
Shore anglers: 1 shark per calendar day from the approved list (plus 1 bonnethead and 1 Atlantic sharpnose). Vessels: 1 shark per trip from the approved list for the whole boat (plus 1 bonnethead and 1 Atlantic sharpnose per angler).
Handline or rod and reel only; corrodible non-stainless circle hooks required except with artificial flies/lures. Heads, tails and fins must stay attached through landing. Sale and finning prohibited.
As of January 1, 2026 recreational anglers no longer need to report or tag landed sharks.

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open Year Round
Size: None
Limit: 1 bonnethead and 1 Atlantic sharpnose per angler per day (shore) or per trip (vessel), in addition to the 1-shark approved-list limit
Shore anglers (MD tidal waters) — as printed: “ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK, BONNETHEAD SHARK | Open Year Round | None | Each recreational shore angler is allowed a maximum of 1 shark per calendar day from this list of approved species. In addition, each recreational shore angler may harvest 1 of each of the following species per calendar day: 1. Bonnethead 2. Atlantic Sharpnose shark | Each recreational vessel is allowed a maximum of 1 shark per trip from this list of approved species. In addition, each recreational angler may harvest 1 of each of the following species per trip: 1. Bonnethead 2. Atlantic Sharpnose shark”

Source: Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the atlantic sharpnose shark and bonnethead shark

Species of shark

The Atlantic sharpnose shark is a species of requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the subtropical waters of the north-western Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 43°N and 18°N.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark in Maryland?

No size limit in Maryland state waters.

How many Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark can you keep per day in Maryland?

1 of each species (1 bonnethead + 1 Atlantic sharpnose) per angler per calendar day, in addition to the 1 approved-list shark.

When is Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark season in Maryland?

Open year-round.

Is my Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark a keeper today?

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 1.