Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Clearnose Skate is dark or light brown to gray with many darker round spots and bars on the top with white bellies.

It has transparent areas of skin on both sides of its pointed “nose”.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Abundant
General Habitat and Food Preferences	The Clearnose Skate prefers soft bottoms near shore. They feed on shrimps, crabs, and small fishes.
Did You Know?	The Clearnose Skate is Delaware's most common skate. Although they might look dangerous, Clearnose Skates do not possess venomous barbs like stingrays, although they do have sharp thorns located on the top of the tails. The Clearnose Skate gets its name from the transparent area of skin on either side of its pointed 'nose'.
Common Lures and Baits	Often despised by fisherman, Clearnose Skates are usually caught accidentally by anglers fishing for other species. There is hardly any bait a skate won't bite. They can be caught with strips of squid, cut pieces of fish, or pieces of peeler crabs on bottom rigs.
Typical Sizes Caught	Clearnose Skates wingspans can reach up to 30 inches.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Clearnose Skates are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Clearnose Skates are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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