Range and Identity
Archosargus probatocephalus is a western Atlantic coastal fish that uses bays and estuaries. It freely enters brackish water and sometimes freshwater. This species should remain separate from Freshwater Drum, which is also called sheepshead in some regions.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults gather around hard structure where attached shellfish provide food. Young fish use shallow grassy areas with shelter and small prey. The life-stage difference helps explain why a grassy nursery and a rock jetty can both be important locations for the same species.
Food and Life History
The compiled upper references are ninety-one centimeters total length and 9.6 kilograms. Texas accounts describe Gulf spawning near jetties, rocks and reefs in February and March, a regional calendar rather than a rule for the entire Atlantic range.
Field Note
Small fiddler or hermit crabs match documented Texas fishing methods. Watch closely for subtle bites around structure, since Sheepshead can remove bait without a strong, obvious take.
All Lakes With Sheepshead
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Sheepshead records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–12 of 12 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- Big Lake Cameron, LA
- Big Mar Plaquemines, LA
- Caillou Lake Terrebonne, LA
- Grand Lake Cameron, LA
- Lake Arthur Cameron, LA
- Lake Boudreaux Terrebonne, LA
- Lake Lery Plaquemines, LA
- Lake Mechant Terrebonne, LA
- Lake Pontchartrain St. Tammany, LA
- Lake Saint Catherine Orleans, LA
- Lake Shelby Baldwin, AL
- White Lake Vermilion, LA