For more information about management, visit the Northeast Skate Complex page.
Prohibited Species
Thorny Skate (Amblyraja radiata)
Prohibited throughout the Northeast Management Region
- VTR Code(s): SKTHOR (whole), SKTHORW (wings)
- Other Names: Mud Skate, Starry Skate
- Range: Most common in the Gulf of Maine
- Depth: Most common 40–165 fathoms
- Max Length: 41 inches (104 cm)
Features:
- Large thorns along back and shoulders
- Brown/Grayish body surface
- Tail shorter than body
- Underside of wings are white
- No spots on wings
Smooth Skate (Malacoraja senta)
Prohibited in the Gulf of Maine
- VTR Code(s): SKSM
- Other Names: Prickly Skate, Smooth Tailed Skate
- Range: Most common in the Gulf of Maine
- Depth: Most common 55–250 fathoms
- Max Length: 26 inches (64 cm)
Features:
- Pointed snout
- No hard spines on wings
- Pale brown coloration
- 2 rows of small spines along the tail
Provisional Species
Permitted up to 25 percent of catch in the directed wing fishery
- VTR Code(s): SKBARN (whole) SKBARNW (wings)
- Range: Most common on southern Georges Bank and southern New England
- Depth: Most common 35–80 fathoms
- Max Length: 60 inches (152 cm)
Features:
- Very pointed snout
- Reddish brown body surface
- Small dark spots covering body
- No spines on wings
- Underside of wings are gray
Permitted Species
- VTR Code(s): SKL
- Other names: Summer Skate, Common Skate
- Primary target of the bait fishery
- Range: Most common on Georges Bank and southern New England
- Depths: Most common < 70 fathoms
- Max length: 22 inches (55 cm)
Features:
- Rounded disk
- Small dark spots on body surface
- Males (14–20 inches) claspers extend well beyond back edge of disk
- Females (14–20 inches) patches of spines located on both sides of anus
- VTR Code(s): SKWIN (whole), SKWINW (wings)
- Other names: Big Skate, Spotted Skate, Eyed Skate
- Primary target of the wing fishery
- Range: Most common on Georges Bank and southern New England
- Depth: Most common < 60 fathoms
- Max Length: 46 inches (117 cm)
Features:
- Underside of wings are white
- Small dark spots on body surface/wings
- Males (14–20 inches) claspers barely reach edge of posterior disk
- Females (14–20 inches) no rough patch on sides of vent
Rosette Skate (Leucoraja garmani)
- VTR Code(s): SKROSE
- Other names: Leopard Skate, Freckled Skate
- Range: Most common in deep water in the Mid-Atlantic
- Depth: Most common > 40 fathoms
- Max Length: 16 inches (41 cm)
Features:
- Dark rosettes (6 or more dark spots surrounding a central point) on back
- Rows of spines along back and tail
- Tail rather long
Clearnose Skate (Raja eglanteria)
- VTR Code(s): SKCL (whole), SKCLW (wings)
- Other names: Brier Skate
- Range: Most common nearshore in the Mid-Atlantic
- Depths: Most common < 20 fathoms
- Max Length: 37 inches (94cm)
Features:
- Bars and spots on top surface
- One line of thorns that run down the mid-line of back
- Large clear space on each side of snout
- Defined space between two dorsal fins on tail