WHY BAIT-FISH PROPAGATION? 



The rearing of bait fishes is by 

 no means easy, but the advantages 

 are many. The cost of raising fish 

 may be less than the cost of seining 

 them in distant waters. Also, the 

 dealer who raises his own fish can 

 have a nearly uniform supply on 

 hand at all times to meet the de- 

 mands, and is freed from the com- 

 petition with other dealers for min- 

 nows in public waters. 



Minnows raised in ponds are usu- 

 ally better fed than fish from pub- 

 lic waters and are more hardy. 

 Pond-reared fish also benefit from 

 being seined in smaller numbers and 

 from being in transit a shorter time. 

 So, the fisherman who buys these 

 fish will get better minnows for his 

 money and will be able to keep them 

 alive longer. 



Everyone benefits from minnow 

 propagation : the bait dealer is re- 

 warded by a better and more-con- 



sistent business, the sportsman is 

 supplied a better bait fish, and the 

 State is aided in conserving its sup- 

 ply of forage fishes. 



Even though minnow propaga- 

 tion is desirable, dealers who plan 

 to engage in it should first consider 

 the problems involved. Fish prop- 

 agation is more than a simple propo- 

 sition of combining fish and water 

 to produce a profit. Considerable 

 skill and judgment are needed to 

 select or construct good ponds. 

 Most dealers need years of practice 

 before they become proficient at 

 pond stocking, pond fertilizing, and 

 pond harvesting. Each pond is a 

 distinct problem, and conditions in 

 it may change from year to year. 

 The beginner in minnow propaga- 

 tion will do well to start on a small 

 scale and learn as he builds up his 

 business. 



