Brown Smoothhound Shark in California
Bag rules, records and waters: brown smoothhound shark.
- 20 a daydaily bag
About California brown smoothhound shark
CDFW groups Brown smoothhound shark (Mustelus henlei) with its sharks/rays species, on salt water. Anglers may keep 20 a day (Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay), size none.
It shows up along the north, central and south coast, per CDFW.
The CDFW profile of brown smoothhound shark
“Brown smoothhound are found from northern Washington, south to the Gulf of California, Mexico and Costa Rica Costa Rica to Peru.”
“Brown smoothhound are most common in sandy or muddy bottoms of bays, especially in cool temperate waters, but they are also found in deeper water on the continental shelf.”
- SizeThe maximum size measured is 153.0 centimeters (60.2 inches) total length.
- SeasonBrown smoothhound are caught year-round.
- GearBrown smoothhound are mainly retained commercially by set gill nets and by private anglers using hook and line gear, but incidental catch and bycatch of this species may occur in multiple fishing modes including bottom trawls, longlines and
- Where fishedBrown smoothhound are caught throughout California, especially in muddy inshore estuaries and bays.
- Other namesmudshark, dogfish, sand shark
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
Bag limits for brown smoothhound shark
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay | 20 a day | none | see rule |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
Other fish like brown smoothhound shark
- Bat RaySharks/Rays
- Blue SharkSharks/Rays
- Broadnose Sevengill SharkSharks/Rays
- Common Thresher SharkSharks/Rays
- Leopard SharkSharks/Rays
- Pacific Spiny DogfishSharks/Rays
- Round StingraySharks/Rays
- Salmon SharkSharks/Rays
- Shortfin Mako SharkSharks/Rays
- Shovelnose GuitarfishSharks/Rays
- Soupfin SharkSharks/Rays
- ThornbackSharks/Rays
brown smoothhound shark in California: what people ask
What are the rules for keeping brown smoothhound shark?
20 a day (Statewide ocean and San Francisco Bay), size none.
What is the California record brown smoothhound shark?
The record table has no entry.
Which California lakes hold brown smoothhound shark?
Brown smoothhound are caught throughout California, especially in muddy inshore estuaries and bays.
Does CDFW stock brown smoothhound shark?
No 2026 plants are listed.
What Latin name does CDFW use for brown smoothhound shark?
The maximum size measured is 153.0 centimeters (60.2 inches) total length.
When is the season for brown smoothhound shark?
see rule
Which license do I buy for brown smoothhound shark?
License from 16 ($64.54); some species need report cards too.
Which charters catch brown smoothhound shark?
See the guides page.