This project aims to help Minnesota baitfish producers raise Golden Shiners more efficiently while reducing pressure on wild populations and limiting the need for bait imports. Researchers will test feeds and stocking densities, demonstrate production methods in recirculating systems, and engage middle and high school students in hands-on aquaculture science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning.
What are Golden Shiner and why are they important?
The Golden Shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas, is a native minnow species in the North Central Region (NCR) of the United States, has been used as a forage or bait species since at least the early 20th century (Stone et al. 2016), and rates among the top three baitfish sold in the NCR (Meronek et al. 1997)
In Minnesota, demand for Golden Shiners used as bait exceeds in-state production. Recent projections by bait dealers estimate a deficit of approximately 10,000 gallons of Golden Shiner annually. There is pressure from anglers, bait dealers, and legislators to import them from other states. However, importation can introduce aquatic invasive species such as invasive carps and fish diseases, which can negatively impact state waters and jeopardize valuable native fish species. Golden Shiners are also an excellent candidate for indoor production because they are a hardy fish, spawn multiple times a year, and their spawning times can be manipulated by adjusting water temperature and lighting conditions.
Project description
Demand for Golden Shiner, a popular baitfish in Minnesota and the NCR, exceeds supply. Minnesota prohibits baitfish imports to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and fish pathogens, while wild minnow populations, short growing seasons and harvest restrictions continue to limit bait availability.
This project will help improve indoor Golden Shiner production by testing early life-stage feeds and stocking densities in recirculating aquaculture systems. Previous Minnesota Sea Grant research showed that raising Golden Shiner indoors can produce market-sized fish in eight to 10 months instead of about two years in unmanaged ponds.
The project will bring baitfish aquaculture into middle and high school classrooms by providing aquaculture systems, lesson plans and technical support. Teachers and students will raise Golden Shiners and collect data for the research, connecting aquaculture with hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning.
Read the full project proposal.
Why Minnesota Sea Grant?
Minnesota Sea Grant is uniquely positioned to lead this effort due to our work with the Increasing Golden Shiner Bait Production in Minnesota project and our Aquaculture Lab facility on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus, which includes both flow-through and recirculating systems. Our extension staff in fisheries and aquaculture provide a bridge between scientific research and application for local producers and educators.
What have we done lately?
Participants & audience
Project team
- Amy Schrank, Minnesota Sea Grant Associate Director, Extension Program Lead, and Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator
- Julia Grenn, Minnesota Sea Grant Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator
- Donald Schreiner, Minnesota Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist
- Madison Bell, Minnesota Sea Grant Graduate Research Assistant
- Emma Hauser, Wisconsin Sea Grant and University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point Northern
Aquaculture Demonstration Facility Aquaculture Outreach Specialist - Allen Pattillo, Aquaculture IQ, LLC
- Marc Tye, Tye Fish Solutions Owner
- Jim Blankman, Aquatic Resources Management LLC
Audience
- Middle and high school teachers and students across Minnesota (3+ schools), Wisconsin (8 schools), and Iowa (up to 5 schools).
- Commercial aquaculture producers.
- Regional recreational fishing community.
Funding
Project funding is provided by the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) through the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the award period January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.