Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
Skates
Raja erinaceus (and family Rajidae)
Also called: Skate
Identification
Flat, disc-shaped body with a long tail, giving a kite silhouette on the bottom.
Habitat
Soft, sandy, and muddy bottoms.
Behavior
Bottom dweller that glides along the substrate.
How to Catch
Cut baits fished on the bottom; typically bycatch.
Notes
The wing of larger skates is edible; egg cases often wash up on beaches.