Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Partially verified
Handling & regulations: Federally open with a 1-per-person/trip bag limit as of the last confirmed check — but see the note below on the permit requirement that applies before that limit is even relevant. Recreational anglers must hold a federal HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit *with a shark endorsement* to legally retain any shark species at all — most anglers fishing without one must release every shark regardless of that species' individual status, and Virginia (VMRC) rules may add further restrictions on top of federal ones. Anyone targeting sharks (from shore or a vessel) is also federally required to carry a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook. If removing the hook would delay release, cut the leader or hook as close to the hook as possible instead — the shark does not need to be lifted, dragged onto dry sand/a pier deck, or restrained to be released safely, and a shark should stay in the water throughout release whenever that's achievable.
Commonly confused with: Smooth Dogfish (Smoothhound Shark). If you're not sure which one you've caught, treat it as the more restricted species and release it until you can confirm.
Identification
Long, pointed snout and a slender body, Adults show white spots on the sides and white edges along the pectoral fins; young sharks have black edges on the dorsal and tail fins instead, Second dorsal fin originates over the midpoint of the anal fin base; no spiracles (small openings behind the eyes)
Where this fish fits
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is found across more than one water environment — this reflects real movement between them (e.g. a tidal migration or life-stage change), not uncertainty about where to look.
These are discovery categories describing where anglers realistically fish for this species, not a guarantee this project has confirmed regional access at every listed setting — see the linked locations below for this project's own actually-sourced spots.
- Typical season
- Summer through fall, in the lower Bay and nearshore ocean.
- Habitats
- Lower Chesapeake Bay, Nearshore ocean surf and inlets
- Food use
- Catch-and-release recommended
Data not yet verified.
This site hasn't checked for a fish-consumption advisory covering this species yet. That is not the same as confirmed safe — check current official guidance before eating your catch.
Seasons, size limits, and possession limits change and vary by water body. Always check the current regulations at the current regulations page before you fish.
- Bait & lures
- Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on a wire or heavy mono leader
- Beginner difficulty
- Moderate
Part of this record is confirmed against an official source; other parts are not. See the notes below for exactly which.
Identification features (white spots, fin markings, no spiracles) and the lookalike distinction from smooth dogfish are confirmed via NOAA's own shark identification guide for its Cooperative Shark Tagging Program, corroborated by VIMS's species page. The retention status/bag limit was directly reconfirmed live via the NOAA HMS status page as of 2026-08-15. Habitat/season/bait notes remain general regional knowledge, not individually fact-checked.