Smoothhound Shark regulations in New Jersey

Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? Smoothhound Shark has no size limit today, with No limit.

Smoothhound Shark size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
NJ marine waters (0–3 nm)	Open year-round	No minimum size	No limit

Notes

No size or bag limit for smoothhound (smooth dogfish) in NJ.
Circle-hook rule for sharks still applies when using bait.

Exact NJDEP Fish & Wildlife wording

Season: No closed season
Size: None
Limit: No limit
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.”

Source: NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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More sharks

Sharks — Aggregated Large Coastal group Sharks — Hammerhead group Sharks — Non-Blacknose Small Coastal group Blacknose Shark Sharks — Pelagic group Shortfin Mako Sharks — Prohibited species

About the smoothhound shark

Genus of sharks

Mustelus, also known as the smooth-hounds, is a genus of sharks in the family Triakidae. The name of the genus comes from the Latin word mustela, meaning weasel. It should not be confused with the name Mustela, which is used for weasels.

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

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Smoothhound Shark in New Jersey?

No minimum size in New Jersey state waters.

How many Smoothhound Shark can you keep per day in New Jersey?

No limit.

When is Smoothhound Shark season in New Jersey?

Open year-round.

Is my Smoothhound Shark a keeper today?

Smoothhound Shark has no size limit today, with No limit.