Minnesota Anglers Frustrated by Shiner Minnow Shortage

DEER RIVER (AP) - A shortage of spottail shiner minnows is leading to a spike in demand from anglers who use the minnows as walleye bait.

Bait dealers who rely on the minnows for a significant portion of their revenue are also frustrated. The outlook for the rest of the season remains uncertain.

The shortage is due to a combination of a late ice-out and a ban on harvesting spottails from Lake Winnibigoshish. The lake has always produced the most spottails in the region.

Minnow trappers are desperate, and minnow dealers say they're missing out on big dollars. Anglers are grumpy about the lack of supply.

Ken Roy runs River Rat Bait near Cohasset. He says said shiners represent 40 percent of his business for a year.