Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
A deep-bodied, silver-grey fish with a distinctive humped back and a long dorsal fin, the freshwater drum (or 'silver bass') is named for the drumming sound males make with their swim bladder. Abundant in Manitoba's Red and Assiniboine rivers and Lake Winnipeg, it feeds on the bottom for insects, clams, and small fish and pulls hard on light tackle.
Warm, turbid rivers and large lakes of southern Manitoba; a bottom-feeding native fish carried under a 10-per-day general limit.
How to Catch Freshwater Drum
Whether you're new to targeting Freshwater Drum or refining your approach, success starts with matching your tactics to where the fish lives. Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is typically found in river water and lake water, so concentrate your effort where those conditions line up. Mature Freshwater Drum average around 16 inches, which helps you choose the right line, lure size, and tackle for the fight.
Where to Find Freshwater Drum in the USA & Canada
Freshwater Drum is recorded across a range of North American waters, including spots in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Manitoba, Michigan, and Nebraska. Browse the linked water guides below to see the specific lakes, rivers, and coastal waters where anglers report catching Freshwater Drum, then plan a trip around the water closest to you.
Freshwater Drum Fishing Regulations & Limits
Fishing rules for Freshwater Drum vary by state and province. Before you head out, check the daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons that apply in your area. When FishFinder has matching records, the regulations link below takes you to the rules hub. Following local limits keeps Freshwater Drum populations healthy for future seasons.
Related Water Guides for Freshwater Drum
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Freshwater Drum is recorded:
- Lake Winnipeg — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Red River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Assiniboine River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Manitoba — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Illinois River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Red Rock — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Coralville Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Mississippi River (Iowa Waters) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Missouri River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Big Sioux River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cedar River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Des Moines River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Iowa River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Milford Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Wilson Reservoir (Kansas) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cheney Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Clinton Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Perry Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- El Dorado Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Kanopolis Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Glen Elder Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Tuttle Creek Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Melvern Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cedar Bluff Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Council Grove Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Marion Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Pomona Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Hillsdale Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Big Hill Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- John Redmond Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lovewell Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Kansas River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Arkansas River (Kansas) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Kentucky Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Barkley — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Cumberland — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Dale Hollow Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Barren River Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cave Run Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Green River Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Taylorsville Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Nolin River Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Rough River Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Laurel River Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Grayson Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Buckhorn Lake (Kentucky) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Dewey Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Fishtrap Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Yatesville Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Herrington Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cumberland River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Kentucky River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Elkhorn Creek — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Green River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Toledo Bend Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Caddo Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Sabine River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Poverty Point Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- False River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Eagle Lake (Louisiana) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Bussey Brake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- D'Arbonne Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Atchafalaya Basin — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lac des Allemands — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Verret — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Bistineau — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Cross Lake (Louisiana) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Claiborne — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Chicot Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Black Lake (Louisiana) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Red River (Louisiana) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Ouachita River — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Henderson Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Saginaw Bay — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Erie (Michigan) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Merritt Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lewis and Clark Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Missouri River (Nebraska Waters) — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Sutherland Reservoir — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Johnson Lake — Freshwater Drum fishing water
- Lake Maloney — Freshwater Drum fishing water
Freshwater Drum Regulations
Review current FishFinder regulation records before targeting Freshwater Drum:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of water is best for catching Freshwater Drum?
Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is typically found in river water and lake water. Focus your effort where those conditions line up to improve your chances.
How big does Freshwater Drum get?
Mature Freshwater Drum average around 16 inches, though individual fish can run larger. Matching your line, lure size, and tackle to that range makes for a better fight and landing rate.
Where can I catch Freshwater Drum in the USA and Canada?
Freshwater Drum is reported across North American waters, including spots in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Manitoba, Michigan, and Nebraska. Check the locations listed on this page to find the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters closest to you.
Do I need a fishing license to catch Freshwater Drum?
A valid fishing license is required in most US states and Canadian provinces. Daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons for Freshwater Drum vary by region, so review the regulations on this page and with your local wildlife authority before heading out.