The 2018 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Aquaculture Census reported that Golden Shiner were the most valuable baitfish produced in the United States ( U.S.) with $16.4 million in total sales and over 3.9 million pounds sold. Over the last twenty years the supply of Golden Shiner in Minnesota has decreased while demand by anglers for use as bait has increased and far exceeds in-state production. Minnesota reported $101,000 in sales of Golden Shiner in the 2018 Aquaculture Census which was about 58% of the $175,000 reported in the 2013 census and 24% of the $425,000 reported in the 2005 census. Recent projections by Minnesota bait dealers estimate a deficit of more than 10,000 gallons of Golden Shiner annually. Consequently, there is pressure from anglers, bait dealers, and legislators to import Golden Shiner from other states, though this is currently prohibited by law in Minnesota. The primary concerns are that that importation can introduce aquatic invasive species, disease, and parasites that may negatively impact native fish communities. Recreational fishing is one of Minnesota’s largest industries, with an estimated value of $2.4 billion. Our study aims to increase production of Golden Shiner in Minnesota as a preferred alternative to importation.
One barrier to increasing production of Golden Shiner in Minnesota is that growth rates are slow, it takes two years for Golden Shiner to reach market size in natural ponds. We propose to overcome this bottleneck by exploring four different strategies to grow Golden Shiner to market size (10-15 cm) in Minnesota within one growing season (May-October). Our strategies include: 1) intensive indoor rearing of Golden Shiner using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), 2) growing Golden Shiner in an indoor recirculating aquaponics systems, 3) stocking outdoor, constructed ponds with newly hatched Golden Shiner sac-fry (0.5 cm), and 4) producing feed trained Golden Shiner indoors to a size of 3-5 cm, then stocking them into outdoor constructed ponds.
We are working closely with partners from the Minnesota bait industry and preliminary results are encouraging. If successful, this project could become a model for production of other minnows used as bait in Minnesota and other northern climates. A production manual and workshops highlighting project results will be developed upon project completion. Results will be shared with the bait industry, the aquaculture industry, legislators and interested citizens.