Mature males make the grunting noise by contracting muscles along their air bladder walls.The male of the species produce grunting sound during breeding season.Females are generally much bigger than males.The world record catch was done way back in 1972 by angler Benny Hull in Nijack Lake, Tennessee.The biggest Freshwater Drum caught on record measures more than two feet and weighs approximately fifty-four pounds.The fertilized eggs would then be carried pretty much anywhere, thus, explaining the far and wide distribution of the fish species across the country. This is the reason why some anglers use Freshwater Drums as baits for other bigger fishes.ĭuring spawning season, which occurs in April or May, the females and males release their eggs and sperm into the open water and gets fertilized randomly. Aside from humans, their predators are usually larger fishes such as such as the smallmouth bass and walleye. Snails and small clams, however, are their main fare. The Freshwater Drum is also a carnivore and eats a variety of smaller aquatic animals, including: fish, crayfish, and insects. Other distinguishing features this fish has include: a blunt nose, a long and spiny dorsal fin that’s divided into two, a small horizontal mouth located at the bottom of its head, a prominently arched top, and a white belly. Its deep body is laterally compressed and has a prominent lateral line that runs across the entire length of its body. The fish can easily be identified through its silver scales with bluish-grey overcast. Also, because of the noise they make, it’s been called different names, including: croaker, thunder pumper, grunter, grinder, and bubbler. From its scientific name, aplodonius is a Greek word that means “single back” while the word grunniens is Latin which means “grunting” referring to the grunting or rumbling noise the males make during breeding season. The Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), as the name implies, is a popular gamefish native in the freshwaters of North America. Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) Fish Description

Sheepshead fish freshwater