Fish Profile - Fresh Water Drum

A big water fish, freshwater drum or sheepshead, can grow to be 20 plus inches in length and ten pounds in weight. These heavy-bodied fish have a blunt head and a pronounced humpback appearance. By using the muscles surrounding the swim bladder, these fish can produce a drumming sound, hence the name.

Freshwater drum live in big rivers and lakes. They prefer clear water, but are quite tolerant of turbid conditions. They use their numerous small rounded teeth for crushing and eating their favorite foods (freshwater snails, clams, and crayfish). Their unique skull has many cavities and supports for the muscles needed to grind up these foods.

Freshwater drum have a long spawning season. They are unique in that they are the only North American freshwater fish that have planktonic eggs that float and drift with the currents. Spawning of drums has never been observed in the wild.

Freshwater drum have large otoliths or ear bones. These round, smooth bones, called "lucky stones," are often picked up on the beach as a souvenir. On one side, there is an angled groove that forms an L for luck.  Freshwater drum have a reputation of putting up a good fight when caught on hook and line.

Species Facts

Science Name: Aplodinotus grunniens Other Names: Drum fish, gaspergou, gou, sheepshead Techniques: light tackle

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