Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Little Skate has a very rounded snout and wings with a blunt nose.

They are gray to dark brown with small round darker spots on top. The edges of the fins are lighter in color. The belly is white to grayish.

Illustration by J.H. Blake, courtesy NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

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	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	The Little Skate prefers sand or gravel bottoms from shallow waters to 300 feet deep. They feed on shrimps, crabs, amphipods (shrimp like creatures), and small fishes.
Did You Know?	Although they might look dangerous, Little Skates do not possess venomous barbs like stingrays, although they do have sharp thorns located on the top of the tails.
Common Lures and Baits	Often despised by fisherman, Little 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	Little Skates wingspans can reach up to 21 inches.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Little Skates are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Little Skates are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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