Where have the minnows gone??

[Coldfeet]

Took the wife out Perch fishing. Went to the river to dip some emeralds and none to be found.  Only minnow to be had is Goldies uggg.  What is happening to our lake?   Never have I not been able to get minnows by either buying at Russ's or spending 2 min tossing a net and getting a bucket full.  All my haunts were void of bait. Seriously I know Comorants are a major Pain but have they devastated the food source this bad?   

[Tightline356]

The Upper niagara River is loaded right now.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Lake Erie United Mobile App

[Jimdski]

Minnows feed on plankton which moves to desired water temperatures. When Lake Erie surface water temperatures rise they move to desired water temperatures suspended below the surface.. The schools are spread out over the open lake waters.

[Jimdski]

Coleman lanterns were used to attract minnows around our boat to catch "Blue Pike" in 55 degree waters in mid June. the blue pike disappeared with the smelt that dominated the lake until Canadian Trawlers cut down the smelt numbers  to allow the return of walleye and bass. The Blue Pike were listed as exterminated after the late 1050's

[Jimdski]

Kalitta Airlines was formed when "747" air freighters were transporting the smelt to Asian nations for food for the people living there. Containers loaded with ice and smelt were loaded from deck cranes and fork lift trucks to expedite the delivery of fresh fish.

[seasculpin]

14 hours ago, Jimdski said:

Kalitta Airlines was formed when "747" air freighters were transporting the smelt to Asian nations for food for the people living there. Containers loaded with ice and smelt were loaded from deck cranes and fork lift trucks to expedite the delivery of fresh fish.

NGL I have heard about using Coleman lanterns to attract minnows, but doing so to catch Blue Pike in cooler waters is fascinating!

[Jimdski]

2 hours ago, seasculpin said:

NGL I have heard about using Coleman lanterns to attract minnows, but doing so to catch Blue Pike in cooler waters is fascinating!

Battery operated quartz lites on the side of your boat at night will attract minnows to your boat.

[Jimdski]

The Emerald Shiner spawning season ends when the local water temperatures reach above 42 degrees Usually this is after March 17. They then move out to open lake waters.

[Jimdski]

Minnow check, Monday. A few around but no ice this year with possible early run after the river water warms up. Usually March 17 is prime time. 

[Jimdski]

March 17th is the prime minnow catch date in the upper river.