Live Bait Supply

Anyone heard anything, will we have Minnows large & small this winter?
And how long will the supply last.

I trap my own even once it freezes. store in a 10 gallon aquarium that lasts all winter. didn’t realize there is a concern?

Because of a very dry fall last year some minnow ponds that water levels were low froze out early so I was told.Some bait shops around lake Minnetonka had little to nun sucker or crappie minnows weeks before season end.so I was thinking because of lack of rain in some areas of MN maybe there will be another repeat.

Minnows always get scarce this time of year from my experience, especially bigger ones. End of season, too early for ice, dealers are hesitant sitting on a bunch to satisfy the few late fall fisherman.

I’ll go out on a limb (heavy sarcasm), and predict bait prices that make one sick to their stomach…if you can even find what your after.

The local place here said they were told the supplier would do their best to get everyone some bait, but the days of just making a call and having a bunch delivered are gone. Best of luck to people finding stuff come January and mid to late season

Local shops here have crappie and fatheads, but nothing else at the moment.

Usually see a lack of fatheads come March/April when river fishing kicks in,just because most shops wont order any until closer to opener.Winter time I only ever use crappie and fathead minnows and have never seen a shortage of either.

Didn’t have problem finding minnows last year around the metro. No problem finding sucker minnows around Mille Lacs so far this fall.