Minnesota minnow shortage

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Taken from the walleye central forum.

 

Did you know that Minnesota and Maine are the only 2 states in the US of A where live minnows for fishing must be 100% homegrown? Meaning here in MN we can export bait to other states, but we can’t import any when we are short.

Sounds like it’s going to be extremely difficult to find live minnows in MN this season. And not just shiners…might not even be any fatheads to go around. Lot of insight from minnow trappers all around the state in the full write-up here, few excerpts below:

> Koep and others say the root of the minnow shortage is the continuing loss of harvestable water. Invasive species have put many waters off limits, while shorelines that were once undeveloped are now being purchased by people who introduce competing uses, including the stocking of fish that deplete minnows.

> Bait dealers also say that wetland restoration projects undertaken for the benefit of waterfowl hunters intentionally disrupts fathead populations. In addition, the DNR itself has unknowingly moved some of its walleye-rearing operations to ponds used by minnow trappers. Meanwhile, agricultural drainage practices usher more and more water into river systems, shrinking large ponds and drying up others.

> At the meeting in Brainerd, minnow trappers also complained about losing access to ponds and lakes inside state and federal wildlife lands that no longer allow motorized vehicles. And in the past few years, recurring droughts, floods and severe winters have disrupted minnow populations by causing winter kill or introducing undesired fish populations.

> Moreover, the bait dealers stressed to the DNR that minnows don’t reproduce in ponds as heartily as they did 15-20 yrs ago. They are slower to develop when stocked and slower to bounce back after winter kills, they said. The group wondered out loud if farm chemical runoff could be a factor, but no one had evidence.

Obviously this is a huge bummer for minnow trappers and local baitshops – some small businesses might not survive this season. 😣

Sounds like the DNR is looking for solutions and making changes…in the meantime you might be forced into fishing more artificials for walleyes this season. I guess the good news is there’s never been a better time to sling around the “fake” stuff for walleyes with all of the new information and gear available today….

[gimruis]

I saw this in the Star Tribune last month too.  Several variables at play here.  Luckily, I don't use much for minnows anymore (or live bait in general).

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[Fishin Dad]

I might have to throw some minnow traps again.  I use more leaches in summer anyway because they are easier to deal with.  It is sad though that a state where fishing is so important to the economy might have problem like this.  

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

I might have to throw some minnow traps again.

Just make sure you follow the rules set forth.

Pg. 30 - https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf

 

[Fishin Dad]

42 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Just make sure you follow the rules set forth.

Pg. 30 - https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf

 

Thanks.  I don’t ever need more than 144 minnows.  There are a couple places around here where you can catch thousands.  I don’t even use a lot of live bait.  But bobber fishing walleyes at night when we are tired is awesome.  Except when the bite gets crazy.  Then it is like the three stooges during a fire drill.  

[MN Fisher]

4 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Thanks.  I don’t ever need more than 144 minnows.  There are a couple places around here where you can catch thousands.  I don’t even use a lot of live bait.  But bobber fishing walleyes at night when we are tired is awesome.  Except when the bite gets crazy.  Then it is like the three stooges during a fire drill.  

Just pay attention to where you can use them - some bodies of water, you can only use minnows caught there in that particular place.

Also keeping or disposal rules.

[Fishin Dad]

30 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Just pay attention to where you can use them - some bodies of water, you can only use minnows caught there in that particular place.

Also keeping or disposal rules.

Not even sure I will gather any.  Depends on the supply and what trips I plan.  I still like leeches better, even under a cork.  Easier to throw in the cooler and keep them for days.  I hope they don’t have shortage on those too. 

[gimruis]

2 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

I still like leeches better, even under a cork.  Easier to throw in the cooler and keep them for days.  I hope they don’t have shortage on those too. 

I generally prefer leeches over minnows too, at least I did when I used to walleye fish more. The problem occurs early and late in the season when they are not available. Once water temps hit 60, a lot of anglers switch from minnows to leeches or crawlers, or artificials.  Minnows are useless in warm water.  Most leeches come from swamps and shallow lakes in the northern portion of the state, and many of those still have ice, so leeches are going to be a while still.

[Fishin Dad]

Agreed.  Shiners rule the spring.  Except this year it seems. I don’t fish walleyes as often either.  But my buddies fish them a lot.  They haven’t quite been able to get the production using artificials as much as live bait, but they don’t really struggle either.   

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