Winter Skate
Leucoraja ocellata
Also known as Skate, Big skate, Spotted skate, Eyed skate
Culinary Profile
Mild flavor that is similar to scallops.
Firm and stringy.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Skates are a relative of sharks and rays and have a kite-like shape. Winter skates are light brown and covered with small dark spots. Small spines cover most of their back.
Biology
Winter skates have large bodies and can grow up to 5 feet in length. They can live for about 20 years. They reproduce at a late age, when they’re approximately 11 years old and 2.5 feet long. Skates lay eggs year-round but have few offspring. Their eggs are enclosed in a hard leathery case called a “mermaid’s purse.” The eggs incubate for 6 to 12 months, and young skates have the adult form when they hatch.
Where They Live
Range Winter skates range from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canada to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Habitat Winter skate live on sand and gravel bottoms in the northwest Atlantic, most commonly in southern New England and on Georges Bank. They are occasionally found in the Gulf of Maine, on the Scotian Shelf, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and in the Mid-Atlantic.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina (mainly Massachusetts and Rhode Island).
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings totaled 17 million pounds and were valued at $6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . More than half of skate landings come from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Skates are harvested in two different fisheries, one for wings for human consumption and one for lobster bait. In the bait fishery, vessels from southern New England target mostly little skates (more than 90 percent) and, to a much lesser extent, juvenile winter skates (less than 10 percent). Juvenile winter skates are difficult to differentiate from little skates because they look nearly identical.
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Winter Skate.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Winter Skate, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Winter Skate get?
grow up to 5 feet.
How long do Winter Skate live?
Live for about 20 years.
How should Winter Skate be cooked?
Winter Skate has Firm and stringy. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught winter skate is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2022 stock assessment, winter skate is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . Seven skate species, including winter skate, are managed as one northeast skate complex. There is a lack of data for this complex.
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitat that are affected by some kinds of trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the winter skate fishery. Managed under the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan : Valid open access permit is required to catch, possess, transport, or sell skate. Annual catch limits for winter, little, clearnose, and rosette skates, as well as response measures if the catch limits are exceeded.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 3 values
Nutrient Facts (NOAA)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.