Freshwater Drum

Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens

Identification
This fish has a humped back and silver body.

Location
Common statewide

Size
1 to 20 pounds

Diet
It feeds on mollusks insects and fish.

Habitat
It occurs in rivers lakes and reservoirs.

Activity Period
Year round

Behavior
It produces drumming sounds during breeding. It is active year round.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in summer.

Population
The population is stable statewide.

History
It has long been widespread in Ohio.

Human Interactions
It is often caught incidentally.

Facts
It is the only freshwater drum species in North America.

Sources
ODNR academic sources

Mollusks insects small fish | Rivers lakes reservoirs | Statewide