Also known as the sheepshead due to its unique, molar-like teeth, the freshwater drum is an oddity among North American sport fish. This fantastic fish species may resemble a carp or a sucker species with its rounded body and downward-facing mouth, but it is unique. The freshwater drum is the only freshwater member of North America’s Sciaenidae, or drum, family. This group is also commonly known as croakers for their ability to make deep, throaty noises by vibrating their swim bladder.
Freshwater drums have deep, humped backs. Additionally, they have two dorsal fins and a rounded caudal fin, distinguishing this species from carp and members of the Catostomidae family, which have forked caudal fins. In addition to being a decent fish for eating, the freshwater drum supports a robust commercial fishery in Lake Erie, where its flesh is turned into animal feed.
What’s All the “Drumming” About?
Among the freshwater drum’s unique traits is the ability to make a deep grunting noise by vibrating its swim bladder with specialized muscles. This noise is primarily used by males to communicate danger or to ward off predators. It is also used to impress females during the breeding season.
The freshwater drum’s other traits are its complete lateral line, which extends into the caudal fin, and its impressive teeth. The lateral line is a sense organ that allows a fish to sense pressure and the movement of other organisms around them. It can be a vital indicator of a nearby prey item or a predator. In freshwater drums, this organ extends from the tip of the operculum, or the bony flap that protects the gills, to the beginning of the caudal fin rays, which is unusual among fishes where the lateral line is usually broken or ends before the caudal fin.
The freshwater drum’s teeth are in its throat and resemble an alien-like arrangement of pure molars. Like our molars, the freshwater drum’s teeth crush its food, although most people would not try to chew a clam or a snail. They specialize in mollusks but are known to eat various foods, from aquatic insects to small fishes.
The freshwater drum also has an enlarged otolith, a structure in the fish’s head that picks up vibrations in the water and allows them to hear, like our inner ear bones. This trait accompanies the large swim bladder and may improve the freshwater drum’s ability to hear other fishes in the water.
Is This the Freshwater Drum Found in Marine Waters?
Freshwater drums are, as their name suggests, inhabitants of freshwater. They are the only North American member of their family, Sciaenidae, that is exclusively freshwater. This large family contains nearly 300 species, most of which live in the ocean. Some of the more notable ocean-faring drums are the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and the black drum (Pogonias cromis), both are commonly caught off the coast of North America.
Most drum species look like typical fish, but a handful of them are unique and beautiful. For example, the spotted drum (Eques punctatus) bears a zebra-like pattern with spots along the dorsal and caudal fin. Another species, the longtail croaker (Lonchurus lanceolatus), has long, elegant fins that trail through the water.
How to Fish for Freshwater Drum
This species is known to be engaging when hooked and makes excellent table fare, although it is less readily targeted by anglers than other sportfish like catfish or bass. To add to their allure as a sportfish, freshwater drums can be large, achieving a maximum weight of around 50 pounds (23 kg). Most individuals are usually approximately 15 inches (38 cm) long, so prepare a sturdy rod and line.
Choose a prey item that matches the freshwater drum’s diet when using live bait. Their diet can include tiny fish or, better yet, aquatic invertebrates like crayfish or shrimp. Shad, crickets, and nightcrawlers are also good options. Freshwater drums can be targeted in the deeper areas of a lake or near regions with a faster current. In some areas, the behavior of the freshwater drum varies seasonally.
During the winter, many freshwater drum populations hide from the freezing surface temperatures in the depths of cold-water lakes and reservoirs, so anglers should target the deeper sections of the water body. During the spring and fall, they hunt for fish in the margins of fast-flowing sections of lakes and reservoirs, so anglers should cast in these areas. When targeting deeper water, a boat may be required.
How Do Freshwater Drums Reproduce?
Spawning occurs in schools annually from late spring to early summer when the water is at least 68°F (20°C). Up to 60,000 eggs are produced by one female in each spawning event and are left at the water’s surface. Freshwater drums provide no parental care and return to the depths soon after spawning. The larvae will spend their first few days of life at the water’s surface before they have the strength to move deeper into the water column. Very few larvae mature because they are left vulnerable at the water’s surface for an extended period. Yet, freshwater drum compensates by collectively producing millions of offspring in each spawning event.
Where Are Freshwater Drums Found?
This species is native to the central United States and Canada, as well as eastern Mexico and parts of Central America. They are bottom dwellers and enjoy slow currents in deep reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. While this species spends most of its time in the depths of these water bodies, they will make daily movements to shallower waters to feed on aquatic invertebrates.
