Freshwater drum, also known as sheepshead, grunter, or gaspergou, are common freshwater fish found across North and Central America. As the only North American member of their family to exclusively inhabit freshwater, their size can vary considerably depending on their environment and age.
Typical and Maximum Sizes
Freshwater drum typically range from 12 to 30 inches in length and commonly weigh between 2 and 10 pounds. Larger specimens are regularly encountered, with individuals over 30 pounds not being uncommon. While most caught fish are smaller, these fish can reach impressive sizes under optimal conditions.
Females of the species tend to grow faster and reach larger sizes than males throughout their lifespan. Although their average age is between 6 and 13 years, freshwater drum are long-lived and have been documented to reach ages of 32 years in some rivers and even up to 72 years in certain lakes. This longevity allows them to achieve their full growth potential over many seasons.
Influences on Growth
Several environmental and biological factors influence the growth and size of freshwater drum. The availability and quality of their diet play a substantial role, as these fish are opportunistic bottom feeders. Their diet typically includes macroinvertebrates like aquatic insect larvae, crayfish, mollusks (including invasive zebra mussels), and smaller fish. Freshwater drum possess heavy pharyngeal teeth, which are molar-like grinders in their throat, enabling them to crush the shells of clams and mussels, a food source that contributes to growth.
Water temperature and water quality also impact growth rates. While freshwater drum can tolerate turbid conditions, they generally prefer clear water. Optimal growth is associated with suitable temperatures and water quality that supports a rich food web. Habitat availability, including space and cover, contributes to their growth, with larger rivers and lakes providing more resources and room for larger fish. Growth rates can vary between different water body types, such as rivers and reservoirs.
Documented Record Catches
Freshwater drum can achieve extraordinary sizes, with specific angling records highlighting their maximum growth potential. The world record for freshwater drum was a massive specimen weighing 54 pounds, 8 ounces. This record-breaking fish was caught by Benny Hull in 1972 on Nickajack Lake in Tennessee.
State records also demonstrate the impressive size these fish can attain in various regions. For example, a freshwater drum weighing 36 pounds was caught in New York’s Oneida Lake in 2017, setting a new state record. Another notable catch was a 28.61-pound drum, measuring 34.02 inches, caught in Michigan’s Gun Lake in 2015. In Pennsylvania, the state record stands at 19 pounds, 14 ounces, caught in the Monongahela River in 1994.
Strategies for Catching Larger Drum
Targeting larger freshwater drum often involves understanding their preferred habitats and feeding behaviors. These fish are primarily bottom dwellers, so fishing techniques that present bait near the bottom are generally most effective. They inhabit medium to large rivers and lakes, preferring deeper waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, and are often found near structures like submerged logs and rocks.
Effective baits for larger drum include natural options such as crayfish, nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows, and mussels. Artificial lures like deep-diving crankbaits, jigging spoons, blade baits, and highly reflective gold or silver spinners can also be productive, especially when scuffed along the bottom to mimic their natural prey. Since drum are not particularly selective eaters, they will often readily strike a variety of offerings.
Using medium to medium-heavy power spinning or casting rods with a 10- to 20-pound test line is recommended, as larger drum can put up a strong fight. Fishing during summer months in deeper river channels or near deep rock outcroppings can be particularly effective, and in the fall, they often migrate to tributaries to feed aggressively before winter.