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Long dismissed as ‘rough’ fish, drum are praised in new research for consuming invasive mussels

Bob Eagan caught this freshwater drum from the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan. Drum are being credited with helping control some mussel populations in the lake. (Photo provided)

A native fish long dismissed by Illinois anglers as a “rough fish” may be playing a much larger role in protecting Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes than previously believed.
New research suggests that the freshwater drum, also known as sheepshead, is consuming enormous numbers of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. It’s all because of the specialized teeth.

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