Clearnose SkateorWinter Skate
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Clearnose Skate
Translucent panes either side of a pointed snout; thorn row down the back; barred, spotted disc.
Clearnose skate, next to winter skate: pointed snout with translucent panes, southern.
Winter Skate
Round-winged skate, scattered dark spots and usually a pale eye-spot near each wing base; blunt nose.
Winter skate, next to clearnose skate: northern; rounder wings, pale eye-spots.
Side by side
| Clearnose Skate | Winter Skate | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rostroraja eglanteria | Leucoraja ocellata |
| Also called | Brier skate | — |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 9 lb 8 oz · Connecticut (2017) | 17 lb 6 oz · Connecticut (1995) |
| On the table | Wings are good eating — scallop-sweet. | Skate wings — good eating. |
| Rules of its own in | 8 states | 8 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 2 of 9 states with a rule for either. In Massachusetts, winter skate is No size limit, No bag limit while clearnose skate has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Clearnose Skate: size · bag · season | Winter Skate: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit3 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked | No size limit3 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · likely · checked |
| Delaware | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Maryland | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Massachusetts | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · likely · checked |
| New Jersey | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked |
| New York | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. |
| Rhode Island | No size limit10/person/dayOpen year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked | No size limit10/person/dayOpen year-roundOpenRI DEM 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked | No size limitNo bag limitOpen all yearOpenFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters)NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, clearnose skate or winter skate, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell clearnose skate from winter skate?
Clearnose Skate: Translucent panes either side of a pointed snout; thorn row down the back; barred, spotted disc. Winter Skate: Round-winged skate, scattered dark spots and usually a pale eye-spot near each wing base; blunt nose. Winter skate, next to clearnose skate: northern; rounder wings, pale eye-spots. Clearnose skate, next to winter skate: pointed snout with translucent panes, southern.
Which gets bigger, clearnose skate or winter skate?
Winter Skate. The heaviest state record we hold is 17 lb 6 oz in Connecticut; the heaviest clearnose skate record is 9 lb 8 oz in Connecticut.
Which is better to eat, clearnose skate or winter skate?
Clearnose Skate: Wings are good eating — scallop-sweet. Winter Skate: Skate wings — good eating.
Do clearnose skate and winter skate have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 2 state rulebooks. Massachusetts: clearnose skate no rule of its own, winter skate No size limit, No bag limit; North Carolina: clearnose skate No size limit, No bag limit, winter skate no rule of its own.