Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Barndoor Skate is brown to reddish brown with scattered darker spots on top and white bellies with blotchy gray spots.

Illustration by Original line drawing by H.L. Todd, Courtesy University of Washington Libraries

Season	Open Year-Round in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore) CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
Size Limit	No Size Limit in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore) CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore) CLOSED in Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Rare
General Habitat and Food Preferences	The Barndoor Skate prefers mud, sand or gravel bottoms from shallow waters to depths of 1500 feet. They feed on shrimps, crabs, lobsters, clams, and fishes.
Did You Know?	Barndoor Skates are the largest skate of the Atlantic Coast of North America. Although they might look dangerous, Barndoor 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	There is hardly any bait a Barndoor 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	Barndoor Skates wingspans can reach up to 5 feet.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Barndoor Skates are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Barndoor Skates are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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