Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
🏆 Connecticut State Record
Harvest15 lb 3 ozHoward D. LaFrance · 2001 · New Haven Breakwater
Catch & Release—
All Connecticut state records →
Also called: Drum
Identification
Deep-bodied, gray-black fish with many chin barbels; young fish have dark vertical bars.
Habitat
Sandy bays and inlets; uncommon visitor this far north.
Behavior
Makes a loud drumming sound; crushes clams and crabs with strong throat teeth.
How to Catch
Clams or crabs on the bottom in late spring.
Notes
Rare visitor to Connecticut — listed in CT DEEP’s exotic marine species record category.