Freshwater drum across Minnesota
Finding and keeping freshwater drum under Minnesota rules.
- No limitlimit
Pick for sheepsheadPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Lake Pepin: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Where freshwater drum fit in Minnesota
The DNR files Freshwater drum under the drum family. The inland waters (statewide) rule allows No limit; season Continuous.
Survey crews found it in 134 lakes, 137 of which have pages. At 73.92 per gill net, Lake Washington leads the lakes on this site.
The DNR profile of freshwater drum
“Freshwater Drum (Sheepshead)”
“Also known as sheepshead, the freshwater drum is known for the rumbling and grunting sounds the males make to attract mates. It is a large, round-profiled, silver humpbacked fish.”
“The freshwater drum is a rounded fish with a small tail and a silvery cast to its scales. Its mouth is located toward bottom of its face. It's the only freshwater fish on which the lateral line, a sense organ used to detect motion in the water, runs right through tail.”
- It is a large, round-profiled, silver humpbacked fish.identification
- The freshwater drum is a rounded fish with a small tail and a silvery cast to its scales.identification
- It's the only freshwater fish on which the lateral line, a sense organ used to detect motion in the water, runs right through tail.habitat
- Freshwater drum have particularly large otoliths, stonelike objects found in the ear of many animals.habitat
- sheepshead, croakersalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
For the sheepshead herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 The freshwater drum limit
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | No limit | Continuous |
| Inland waters | No limit | Early season March 1 – April 30 (south of Hwy 210, lakes and Minnesota/Mississippi/St. Croix rivers, from a bo |
| Inland waters | No limit | Spearing April 25, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027; harpooning, dip net and seine May 1, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 (sunrise to |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Where the freshwater drum surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Washington | 73.92 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.71 | 2025 |
| Willmert (Main Bay) | 52 | 0.5-8.3 | 0.26 | 2018 |
| Amber Lake, Martin County | 49.5 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.57 | 2022 |
| Sisseton Lake | 49.5 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.82 | 2023 |
| Lake Byllesby | 48.67 | 0.8-10.5 | 0.37 | 2019 |
| Budd Lake | 43 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.8 | 2024 |
| Fox Lake, Martin County | 40 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.34 | 2025 |
| George Lake, Martin County | 35 | 2.5-55.5 | 0.83 | 2025 |
| Long Lake, Watonwan County | 34 | 0.5-8.3 | 0.67 | 2022 |
| Willmar Lake | 31 | 0.5-8.3 | 1.1 | 2025 |
| Lac qui Parle | 30.08 | 3.6-24.2 | 0.32 | 2016 |
| Madison Lake | 28.62 | 4.0-32.3 | 0.92 | 2025 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for freshwater drum
Lakes with freshwater drum
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Lake Minnewaska8,050 acres
- Lake Osakis6,389 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
- North Lida Lake5,523 acres
- Big Pine Lake, Otter Tail County4,728 acres
- Marsh, Big Stone County4,462 acres
- Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County3,962 acres
- Shetek Lake3,462 acres
- Lake Waconia3,080 acres
- Blackduck Lake2,711 acres
- Mud Lake, Traverse County2,449 acres
- Norway Lake, Kandiyohi County2,339 acres
- Emily Lake, Pope County2,316 acres
- Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County2,080 acres
- Artichoke Lake1,971 acres
- Lizzie Lake (north portion)1,913 acres
- Pomme De Terre Lake1,816 acres
- Hanska Lake1,795 acres
Streams with freshwater drum
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish grouped with freshwater drum
- Walleyeperch family
- Saugerperch family
- Saugeyeperch family
- Yellow perchperch family
- Northern pikepike family
- Muskellungepike family
- Tiger muskellungepike family
- Largemouth basssunfish family
- Smallmouth basssunfish family
- Rock basssunfish family
- Black crappiesunfish family
- White crappiesunfish family
Photos of places near Freshwater drum
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Photo: Jimmy Dreger, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Wikideas1, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: EricWoodbury8301, CC BY 4.0
Minnesota freshwater drum, asked by anglers
What is the limit on freshwater drum?
No limit (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
What is the Minnesota record freshwater drum?
The DNR record tables have no entry for it.
Which waters produce freshwater drum?
Lake Washington leads the DNR gill net catch at 73.92 per net; 140 waters on this site list it.
Are freshwater drum on the stocking pages?
1 row on the DNR area stocking pages, such as McColl.
What scientific name does the DNR use for freshwater drum?
It is a large, round-profiled, silver humpbacked fish.
Is freshwater drum season open right now in Minnesota?
Continuous
Is a stamp needed for freshwater drum?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do Minnesota guides take trips for freshwater drum?
See the guides page.