Smooth & spiny dogfish in Ocean City, Maryland
Dogfish are small, abundant sharks on inshore and near-bottom days around Ocean City. This page covers ID, why kids ask if it is a real shark, and when wire leaders matter on structure with a bucktail.
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Editorial only. “Shark” on a charter list often routes to the offshore species shark guide on OCEANCITY.MD, not this inshore dogfish page. Size, season, and possession rules for small coastal sharks and dogfishes are specific—read Maryland DNR and any federal Atlantic shark fishing references they link. If you are unsure, release with minimal handling. Official portals for the public information stack; DNR/NOAA for the actual rule set.
Two common dogfishes
Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) carries a prominent spine ahead of each dorsal; smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) is more “mini shark” in profile, without that classic spine look. Bycatch in flounder, sea bass, and scup drifts is a normal deck conversation—identify before you filet or tag, and treat skates/ rays and protected sharks with extra care; when in doubt, release.
Wire, de-hook, and time on deck
- Short wire or heavy fluoro to teeth; long-nose pliers, jaw spreaders, and a wet towel for tail control.
- Minimize air exposure for release fish—elasmobranchs are not a trampoline prop for kids’ photos on hot plywood.
- Mixed-bag with bluefish and sea bass— blues and black sea bass each have their own measure and season language.
When you really meant bluewater sharks
If the trip is chum, canyon miles, and big-fish tackle, use the offshore shark species read and the HMS habits your captain describes—this dogfish page is the wrong hero shot for a 300-pound mako plan.
