Shark Bag & Length Limits

Valid Sep. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025.

Daily Bag:
1 (in any allowable combination) - Special regulation: The daily bag limit is one fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip and bonnethead.

Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters.

See Shark Limits and Identification for identification tips.

Atlantic sharpnose

Sharpnose Shark.jpg
Min Length:
24 inches
Max Length:
No limit

 

Blacktip

Min Length:
24 inches
Max Length:
No limit

 

Bonnethead

Min Length:
24 inches
Max Length:
No limit

 

Hammerhead (smooth, great, scalloped)

Min Length:
99 inches
Max Length:
No limit

 

Other allowable shark species

Min Length:
64 inches
Max Length:
No limit

 

Prohibited shark species

Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Shortfin mako, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, and White.

Daily Bag:
0 (catch and release only)

Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters.

See Shark Limits and Identification for identification tips.

Limits and Restrictions

  • The possession limit is equal to double the bag limit unless otherwise noted.
  • Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species.
  • There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits.

State & Federal Waters

  • For freshwater finfish species caught in the public salt waters of this state, statewide freshwater limits apply.
  • Recreational anglers must possess a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in state or federal water.
  • The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state.
  • Federal law also regulates species between 9 and 200 nautical miles managed under a Federal Fishery Management Plan. See Transfer & Importation of Wildlife.
  • It is unlawful to possess aquatic life in Texas waters that was illegally taken in Federal waters.

Offshore Reefs

Fishing on state-sponsored offshore artificial reefs is subject to the same regulations as other offshore locations.