Minnesota restricts the importation of minnows from other states because of concerns about introducing invasive species or disease. Invasive species such as zebra mussels also disrupt bait collection when infested waters are closed to bait harvest to prevent the spread of the invasive species. The stability of the system seems to be changing," said Sea Grant fisheries specialist Don Schreiner. We've seen droughts, we've seen really high temperatures. We've seen more winter kills, where these fish don't make it through a winter. "We've seen more unstable climatic conditions. There are a number of potential reasons natural minnow production is declining. “If the wild isn't going to support this, then we need to find a better way to do it." "For the winter market, we were short 8,000-10,000 gallons of shiners in general,” said Thoele. But in the past decade or so, natural production has been declining and there have been shortages, including last year. Thoele has been in the bait business for 35 years, collecting minnows in natural ponds and lakes to sell to retail stores. Thoele is participating in a three year research project through the University of Minnesota Duluth Sea Grant program, supported by a $188,000 grant from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
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