How to Raise Baitfish Minnows

Fish Bait image by Ibizarre from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Anglers can save money if they raise their own bait fish, and minnows can be sold as bait for a profit. The cost of raising bait fish is usually less than the price paid in a retail store.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

10-gallon aquarium for each breeding tank
Two 4-inch sections of PVC pipe, 4 inches in diameter
Undergravel filter
Aquarium thermometer
Aquarium light to keep temperature constant
Bag of gravel
Light timer
Two males and four female minnows
Bottled or sterilized water
Minnow or fish food
Aquarium fungus prevention product
Additional tanks/filters/gravel as needed

Step 1

Set up the 10-gallon aquarium. Install the undergravel filter, then cover the filter and the bottom of the tank with gravel. Lay the two sections of PVC pipe in the tank horizontally. Fill the tank with the bottled water. Install the aquarium thermometer on the side of the tank.

Step 2

Set up the lighting and check temperature. Install the aquarium lighting and timer. Set the timer so the light is turned on for 15 hours every day. Make sure the water temperature is holding at 72 to 74 degrees F before placing the fish into the tank.

Step 3

Acclimate the minnows to the tank. If the fish are in a clear plastic bag, place the bag, still closed, in the tank. This will allow the minnows to get acclimated to the tank water temperature. After one to two hours, empty the bag of minnows into the tank.

Step 4

Harvest the eggs. If you plan to keep the original tank as a breeding tank, remove the PVC pipe sections that have eggs attached. Do this weekly or as needed and place eggs in a new tank, preferably a 20- to 30-gallon size. Limit it to one pound of minnows for each gallon of water. The hatchling tank should also have regular aeration and be treated to prevent fungus (see Resources).

Step 5

Release, use or sell the minnows. If there are too many hatchlings for the tank size and for individual use, release the minnows into the wild or sell them to a bait shop or other fishermen. Minnows reproduce rapidly and must have a proper breeding and living environment or else they will die.

Tips & Warnings

Minnows should be fed in the morning and the evening.

Resources

Article Written By Kelsey Childress

Kelsey Childress runs a freelance creative business called Awen Creative that specializes in SEO Web content, social media marketing and blogging. She has been writing for online and in-print publications for over six years, and has a bachelor's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State University.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...