Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) regulations in Maryland

Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.

Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Shore anglers (MD tidal waters)	July 16 – May 14	78 inch minimum	1 shark per angler per calendar day from the approved list
Vessel anglers (MD tidal waters)	July 16 – May 14	78 inch minimum	1 shark per vessel per trip from the approved list (whole boat)

Notes

Closed May 15 through July 15.
78 inch fork length minimum - much larger than other sharks.
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.

Exact Maryland DNR Fishing & Boating Services wording

Season: Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15
Size: 78 inches minimum fork length
Limit: Shore: 1 shark per angler per calendar day from approved list; Vessel: 1 shark per vessel per trip from approved list
Shore anglers (MD tidal waters) — as printed: “GREAT, SCALLOPED, AND SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD SHARKS | Open Year Round Except May 15–July 15 | 78 inches”

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

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More sharks

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark and Bonnethead Shark Sharks - 54 inch group, open year round (Blacknose, Blue, Common Thresher, Finetooth, Porbeagle)Sharks - 54 inch group, closed May 15 to July 15 (Blacktip, Bull, Lemon, Nurse, Spinner, Tiger)Smooth Dogfish Spiny Dogfish Prohibited Sharks (Sandbar, Dusky, Sand Tiger, Oceanic Whitetip, Shortfin Mako and all unlisted species)

About the hammerhead sharks

Species of shark

The scalloped hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads.

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 Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) in Maryland?

78 inch minimum in Maryland state waters.

How many Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) can you keep per day in Maryland?

1 shark per angler per calendar day from the approved list.

When is Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) season in Maryland?

July 16 – May 14.

Is my Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, Smooth) a keeper today?

A hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.