Raja erinacea, little skate, and Raja ocellata, winter skate, are very similar but can be distinguished by size, color, sexual maturity, and teeth. If the skate has "eyespots" or if it is longer than 54 cm (21") then it is the winter skate. The eyespots are dark brown spots edged with white. Usually the winter skate has 1 - 4 of these spots at their rear corner of each pectoral fin. However, the spots may be absent. The little skate has brown spots but not eyespots. If the fish does not have eyespots and is between 35 cm (14") and 54 cm (21") you can use its sexual maturity to determine the species. In this size range little skates are are sexually mature or maturing and winter skates are immature. If the skate is less than 35 cm (14") long and doesn't have eyespots you must count the rows of teeth to make a positive identification. Mature females have two patches of spines, one of either side of the vent. Immature females do not have these spines. The spines are hard to see but can be felt if you rub your fingertips in the tail-to-head direction over this area. Mature males have claspers that extend well beyond the rear edge of the body. Immature males have claspers that do not reach the rear edge of the body or barely extend beyond it. 

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Raja erinacea, little skate: brown with dark spots on top, white on bottom; rarely over 54 cm (21") long; very common. Raja ocellata, winter skate: very similar but may have "eye" spots; up to 110 cm (43") long; less common.