Federal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) · Virginia lists none of its own
Clearnose, little, rosette, and winter skates open with no limits; barndoor, smooth, and thorny skates are prohibited.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Winter skateNorthern; rounder wings, pale eye-spots. Tell them apart
Atlantic stingrayWhip tail with a venomous barb — skates have neither. Tell them apartNot listed by Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Translucent panes either side of a pointed snout; thorn row down the back; barred, spotted disc. More on the clearnose skate page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Clearnose skate in other states8 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for clearnose skate in Virginia?
No size limit.
How many clearnose skate can you keep in Virginia?
No bag limit.
When is clearnose skate season in Virginia?
Open all year.
How current is this Virginia clearnose skate rule?
Source: NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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