Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
Also known as: Blue Dog; Great Blue
Size & Weight
Average Length
91.2"
Max Length
152.0"
Average Weight
150.0 lbs
Max Weight
450.0 lbs
Lifespan
20 years
Habitat
Depth Range
0 - 1150 ft
Water Temp
50-68°F
Open ocean; pelagic; offshore; surface to moderate depth
Behavior
Spawning Season
Spring-summer
Migration: Highly migratory; oceanic; follow warm currents
Diet: Fish; squid; seabirds; marine mammals; carrion
Fishing Tips
PNW Season
Summer when offshore
Techniques: Offshore fishing; chumming; heavy tackle
Best Bait: Oily fish; mackerel; squid
Eating Quality
Edibility
Poor
Soft; ammonia smell; not recommended
State Records
Washington
64.0
lbs
California
258.5
lbs
Fun Facts
Most common open-ocean shark; beautiful blue color; highly migratory; poor eating
How to Identify
Brilliant blue upper body; white belly; pointed snout; long pectoral fins; highly migratory open ocean species
Official Resources
Sources: WDFW; CDFW; NOAA
Change History (Last updated Feb 02, 2026 at 10:33 AM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02, 2026 10:33 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 91.2 |