Skip to main content

Freshwater Drum

Freshwater Drum

Freshwater Drum are Georgia's only member of the drum family that lives exclusively in freshwater. Few Georgia anglers specifically target them despite their fighting ability and table quality.

Scientific Name: Aplodinotus grunniens

Also known as sheepshead, gaspergou, thunder pumper

Physical Characteristics:
  • These deep-bodied, silvery fish are distinguished by their laterally compressed bodies, long dorsal fins with a deep notch, and sub-terminal mouths with blunt rounded snouts.
  • A unique identifying feature is their lateral line extending into the rounded caudal fin.
  • They typically weigh 5-15 pounds but can exceed 30 pounds, with the world record being 54.5 pounds.
  • Dr.um have small mouths.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In Georgia, they inhabit medium to large rivers and lakes up to 60 feet deep.

Key Locations

  • Found in the lower Etowah River and are abundant throughout the state's river systems.

Specific Spots

  • They prefer clean sand and gravel substrates.
  • Target areas with current breaks, deep holes, edges of bottom channels, steep ledges, and hard bottom areas.
  • Look for fast-moving current adjacent to slower water.

Freshwater Drum FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Freshwater Drum in Georgia?

Nightcrawlers may be the best bait overall. Other productive baits include live crayfish, minnows, shrimp, and crickets. For lures, try small-hook jigs (drum have small mouths), spoons (especially gold and silver), crankbaits, jerkbaits, and blade baits.

What flies work for Freshwater Drum in Georgia?

Streamers, nymphs, and Woolly Buggers in natural colors (brown, black, olive) in sizes #6-#2.

When is the best time to fish for Freshwater Drum in Georgia?

Freshwater Dr.um can be caught year-round in Georgia, but June and July provide the most outstanding fishing success. During summer months, target them in deeper areas of rivers and lakes, though some can still be found in faster-moving shallow water.

How do you catch Freshwater Drum in Georgia?

Bottom fishing is the most effective method. Use a fish finder during summer to locate the depths where drum are holding. When fishing with bait, look for fast-moving current adjacent to slower water. In spring, use highly reflective lures in slow-moving pools near faster water.

What do Freshwater Drum eat?

Their diet consists mainly of benthic invertebrates including crayfish, immature insects, minnows, amphipods, and mollusks - they're particularly effective at controlling invasive zebra mussels. Young drum feed primarily on zooplankton.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Freshwater Drum.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Freshwater Drum water

    Pick Freshwater Drum and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Freshwater Drum

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Freshwater Drum are.

Open the map, filter by Freshwater Drum, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Georgia licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Georgia waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.