Great Lakes Water Life Photo Gallery

Fish

Drum

Family: Sciaenidae - Drum

Distribution and Habitat

N=Native, I=Introduced (exotic), X=Extinct, P=Extirpated

Image/Link	Scientific Name	Common Name	Lake Superior	Lake Michigan	Lake Huron	Lake Erie	Lake Ontario	Habitat
	Aplodinotus grunniens	freshwater drum		N	N	N	N	river/littoral

Table modified from "The Life of the Lakes: A Guide to the Great Lakes Fishery" MI Sea Grant Extension, Michigan State University.

Species Profile

Aplodinotus grunniens - freshwater drum (aka sheepshead)

Profile - Wisconsin Sea Grant
Profile - Fish of Indiana
Profile - Fishes of New York State
Profile - Fishes of Minnesota
Scientific Profile - Fishes of Wisconsin
Scientific Profile - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Bottom dweller. Prefers pools and channels in rivers with clear water and clean bottoms though tolerant of turbidity. The smallest hatchlings feed upon copepods and waterfleas; juveniles consume aquatic insects (especially midge larvae) and small crustaceans. As they grow larger, they eat more snails and clams, which they crush with the pharyngeal teeth. Feeds on mollusks, mussels (including the exotic zebra mussel), snails, crustaceans, crayfish, insects, fish. Drum have plates of teeth in their throats for crushing food items. Length to 94 cm. Weight: 5-15 pounds, world record is 54 1/2 pounds. Make a characteristic drumming sound with muscles contacting the swim bladder.

GLERL Waterlife Photo Gallery

Fishes of Minnesota

Other drawings/artwork:
Fish of Indiana
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Wisconsin Sea Grant
Fishes of New York State

Other photos:
Fishes of Minnesota
Wisconsin Sea Grant

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