SlotGaugeCheck a catchSharks — Hammerhead group regulations in New Jersey
Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season
Sharks — Hammerhead group size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ marine waters (0–3 nm) | January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31 | 78 inch minimum | One per person per trip |
Notes
- Closed in NJ state waters May 15 through July 15.
- Hammerheads have a larger 78-inch fork-length minimum than other sharks.
- Non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks required when fishing for sharks with anything other than flies or artificial lures.
- Sharks must be landed with head, tail and fins naturally attached; filleting at sea is prohibited (gutting and bleeding allowed).
- Length is fork length, not total length.
- Federal waters (3–200 nm) follow NOAA HMS rules and require an HMS permit — see fisheries.noaa.gov.
Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording
- Season
- Jan 1–May 14 and July 16–Dec 31 (closed May 15–July 15)
- Size
- 78 inch fork length
- Limit
- One per person per trip
- NJ marine waters (0–3 nm) — as printed
- “Sharks | Aggregated large coastal group, Hammerhead group: Jan 1–May 14 and July 16–Dec 31 | Non-blacknose small coastal group: No Closed Season | Blacknose group: No Closed Season | Pelagic group: No Closed Season | Minimum Length (fork length): Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, and smoothhound: None; Hammerheads 78"; All other retainable sharks: 54" | Prohibited sharks: Zero allowed possession; Shortfin mako: Zero allowed possession; Smoothhound: No limit; All others: One per person per trip | Use of non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks is required, except when fishing with flies or artificial lures. ... Shark Species That May Be Kept (Authorized Species): Aggregated Large Coastal Shark—blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, tiger, spinner; Hammerhead Shark—scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, great hammerhead; Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Shark—Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, finetooth; Blacknose Shark—blacknose; Pelagic Shark—blue, porbeagle, and common thresher.”
Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).
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About the sharks — hammerhead group
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.
Read more about Scalloped hammerhead on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
All 62 New Jersey species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Sharks — Hammerhead group in New Jersey?
78 inch minimum in New Jersey state waters.
How many Sharks — Hammerhead group can you keep per day in New Jersey?
One per person per trip.
When is Sharks — Hammerhead group season in New Jersey?
January 1 – May 14, July 16 – December 31.
Is my Sharks — Hammerhead group a keeper today?
A sharks — hammerhead group is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.