No fish tale: Record-breaking freshwater drum caught in Irondequoit Bay on Lake Ontario

ALBANY, N.Y. – A fisherman from western New York has been credited with catching a record-breaking freshwater drum in Lake Ontario.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says James VanArsdall of West Henrietta caught the fish in Irondequoit (uh-RAHN’-duh-kwoyt) Bay in Monroe County on June 14. The fish measured 33.5 inches and weighed 26 pounds 9 ounces.

Officials say it breaks the previous state record by more than 2 pounds.

Freshwater drum are also referred to as “sheepshead” and live in large rivers and lakes. They are easily identified by their pronounced blunt head.

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