105 



spring seining of "shiner" minnows, the fat-headed 

 minnow is probably the most easily obtainable bait 

 fish in the State. The fat-headed minnow grows well in 

 small ponds in Minnesota and is ideal for propagation. 

 More than 200,000 fish (328 pounds) to an acre have 

 been raised in other States. The fat-headed minnow 

 feeds mainly on microscopic plant food but will take 

 animal plankton and insects. 



Blunt-nosed minnow 



Blunt-nosed minnow 



Hyborhynchus notatus (Rafinesque) 



General description . — First obvious ray of the 

 dorsal fin thickened, standing out from following rays; 

 scales small and crowded behind the head; mouth small, 

 horizontal, and under the snout; back flat and straight; 

 lateral line complete from head to tail; breeding male 

 with a tiny blister-like swelling of skin at each corner 

 of mouth, tubercles on snout only; spot at base of tail 

 dark but diffuse; body c avity lined with black; intes- 

 tine less than twice body length. 



This minnow resembles the fat-headed minnow in 

 appearance, breeding habits, ana distribution. It is 

 more abundant than the fat-headed minnow in the large, 

 clearer lakes and firm-bottomed streams. In Michigan, 

 the bluntnose has been called the most common minnow 

 in inland waters. It is important as a food for game 

 fish because of its preference for large lakes where 

 game fish are abundant. The males grow larger than the 

 females, attaining a maximum length of 4 inches. 

 Spawning begins the latter part of May and continues 

 through August in Michigan but may begin 1 month earlier 

 in western Minnesota. Water temperatures of 70 F. or 

 higher are necessary before spawning takes place. A 

 female may spawn at least twice in one season, and eggs 



