The drum fish is a common catch for both commercial and recreational purposes. Even so, drum is underrated when it comes to its reputation as a table fish. And drum fans would just as soon keep it that way. However, freshwater drum can get much bigger. M.Sc. What Freshwater Drum Eat. Distribution and Habitat: Common statewide in medium-sized streams to large rivers and reservoirs.The Freshwater Drum is a bottom-feeder and usually occupies sluggish pools and backwaters of rivers, and deep, open waters of reservoirs. The freshwater drum is a schooling species. Habitat. sheephead) provides a nice way to fill the weeks before salmon start congregating near river mouths for their annual spawning run. They are a benthic fish that particularly like silty to rocky substrates. Freshwater drum has a reputation for tasting bad, but that could be the result of its diet in some waters.More likely, though, it is the drum's reputation as a "trash fish"—arguably it is not— and its resemblance to such "rough fish" as carp and suckers with their down-turned mouths and large, rough scales. The freshwater drum is the only North American freshwater representative of the Sciaenidae family which includes the croakers, corbinas, drums, seatrout, etc. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. Drum have the greatest latitudinal range of any North American freshwater fish ranging from Lake Winnipeg in northern Manitoba, Canada, south through the U.S. and Mexico to Guatemala. Distribution, relative abundance, and habitat associations of Milk River fishes related to irrigation diversion dams. The average life of the freshwater drum is six to 13 years, but some saltwater species can survive up to 50 years in the wild. Records from early in the 20th century show Mississippi River drum reaching 600 mm (24 in) and almost 4.5 kg (10 lbs). Their ideal habitat resembles a gravel quarry, deep in a lake with the water temperature under 60 degrees. The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Notes: While sometimes reguarded as a pest, the freshwater drum is both very edible and an interesting gamefish. 2012-MLC Page 2 What kind of habitat do they need? It's tough nowadays to find an abundant, delicious, easy-to-catch, hard-fighting, heavyweight sportfish that doesn't draw a lot of attention. Most freshwater drum encountered today in Minnesota are small, less than 300 mm (12 in) long and under 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Many drums caught are small and called 'toy' drum, but these fish do get very large. Drum Fish in Fishing and Cooking. Freshwater d rum avoid strong currents but can Freshwater drum work gravel beds, rocky outcroppings while grubbing, or digging for food hidden on sandy, rocky bottoms. In streams freshwater drum are usually found in large pools and reservoirs they are found at depths of 30 feet or more. More extreme ages have been documented as well. It readily takes many baits and will also take smaller plugs, spinners, and jigs if fished slowly near the bottom in drum feeding areas. Freshwater drum are common in Indiana and can be found in small or large rivers , reservoirs, and the Great Lakes. Freshwater drum inhabit backwaters and areas of slack current in a wide range of habitats including deep pools in medium to large rivers and large, deep to shallow lacustrine environments. Thesis. The freshwater drum (a.k.a. Drum activity peaks in early summer in west Michigan. Consumer species eat many of the freshwater drum’s eggs. 82 p. 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