FRESHWATER DRUM
29–32 rays on anal fin
Deep bodied fish with a divided dorsal fin consisting of 10 spines
Gray or silvery in turbid waters and more bronze or brown colored in clearer waters
How to identify a Freshwater Drum
Though it is a fairly distinctive fish, its deep body, humped back, blunt snout and subterminal mouth have led some to confuse it with the carp and the buffalos. It can be easily distinguished by its two dorsal fins (only one in the carp and buffalos) and its rounded, rather than forked tail. Also, the first dorsal fin of the freshwater drum is composed of 8-9 spines, whereas the carp has only one spine at the beginning of its single soft rayed dorsal fin and the buffalos have no spines at all.
Where to catch Freshwater Drum
The freshwater drum is the only North American freshwater representative of the Sciaenidae family which includes the croakers, corbinas, drums, seatrout, etc. It occurs over much of the U.S. between the Rockies andthe Appalachians southward through eastern Mexico to Guatemalas Rio Usumacinta system and northward through Manitoba, Canada, all the way to the Hudson Bay. It also occurs in some areas of Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
TARGET AREAS
- Cliffs and Steep Shore Banks
- Gradual Shores
- Inlets and Outlets
- Islands or Sand Bars
- Overhanging Trees and Bushes
- Points and Break Lines
- Shoreline Shallows
- Sunken Objects
- Freshwater Weed Beds
- Inside Turns and Coves
- Open Water
- Piers, Docks and Pilings
Acknowledgements: We thank TAKEMEFISHING.org (www.takemefishing.org), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources for their contributions to these FISH FACTS.
