So, on the lake I go fishing I know of 5 kinds of fish:  bass, bream, catfish, gar and carp.

Today, I caught this guy... two of them... and I cannot identify them.

I would greatly appreciate if one of my expert friends here would identify it for me.

thanks!

I hope someone can help you out.... i really want to know what that is as well.......although it does highly resemble a saltwater redfish, minus the spot on the tail,,,,kinda weird!!  (PS....IM not a total moran and think that it is a red, its just quirky with the resemblance.)

I believe that is a freshwater drum.

Yes, that is a drum, if you lived in coastal waters I would say it was a croaker, but drum is the correct answer.

Wonderful work guys.  My dad had guessed the same thing.  Only reason I questioned it was b/c I can't find it on the species list for this particular lake.

They were fun to catch!

freshwater drum, eh....guess that explains why it so highly resembled a red......

drum or sheephead same thing, they are everywhere in lake winnebago by me.

Drums are some of the nastiest fish I have ever caught.

I caught one out of the Fox River in Il last year, it was actually a fun little fighter.

Yessuh, freshwater drum there. Also called sheephead here. Ive hooked into a few 10-20 pounders.

Fun fighting fish.  Isn't worth a dern to eat.

Did you hear it drumming?  Kinda creepy and cool at the same time.