Fish guide
Spiny Dogfish (non-target)
Squalus acanthias. Also called Dogfish, Dogs.
Cool-season nuisance on cut bait.
Showing the fish for Outer Banks, NC.
Season in Outer Banks
JFMAMJJASOND
Maryland DNR: highest concentrations reach Cape Hatteras; Duck averages 43 to 52 F December to March (NCEI). No local Outer Banks report read. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Maine | JFMAMJJASOND |
| New Hampshire | JFMAMJJASOND |
| North Shore MA | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Rhode Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
South Shore surf and nearshore water in spring and late fall as the packs pass.
Anywhere, often in packs.
Handling
- Sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin
- Rough skin
Hold it behind the head clear of both spines, or pin it with a towel; unhook with pliers or cut the line.
Keep or release
Usually released.
Typical: unknown. Large: Males to 3.3 ft, females to 4 ft.
Limits
FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Maryland DNR Fish Facts: Spiny Dogfish Shark (Official source)
- NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide: monthly average water temperatures, all stations (Official source)
- NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NE-150: EFH source document, spiny dogfish (1999) (Official source)
- NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic spiny dogfish (Official source)