Rosy Red Fatheads

[Scott M]

Anyone know where you can buy some Rosy Red Fathead Minnows? They are fatheads that almost look albino. Fish just love them. Looking for a location to buy, or where you saw them. Much appreciated.

[psegriz]

I don't believe you can find a place to buy them. The reason being that when I was in the bait bus a guy couldn't raise or sell them commercially. That is not to say they can't be used but that I couldn't sell them in MN. They are a mutated fathead so therefore when they spawn thier offspring are also rosies. I have caught them in the wild naturally occuring but it's like the DNR kinda considers them exotic. You can use them but they can't be sold. That's my understanding of it anyway.

I don't know where you are from but might be able to get them in another state. Careful crossing state lines with live bait. I don't know about for personal use but for commercial use it is quite complicated. You might want to look into it before hand.

[BDR]

I don't think the info that they can't be sold is correct. I have bought them many times in Baudette. I have had some great succes with them. I would check with Vados. I would bet they are not a constant item though.

[1DIRTBALL]

The last place I can remember seeing them was at West Wind Resort on URL.

[ironman]

Vados has always carried them in the past as well as a number of other bait shops....if you cant find them there call around to pet and tripical fish stores...I've seen them in there as "feeder" fish for bigger aquarium fish. I've personally never used them...they work huh? More for crappies then anything else or walleye and perch too?

[Cyberfish]

Yes Vados sells them they are just a gold colored fathead, not exotic at all. they would not do to well in the wild too easy for predators to see.

[Lost]

Only place I've seen them is pet stores as feeder fish. But they are expensive compared to if you bought them at a bait shop. I've never tried using them either but have read that they are great for fishing.

[psegriz]

The wild ones in MN are pinkish almost albino looking. Down south they raise them as bait and they are a brighter red hence the name "rosie reds". Just the opposite of shiners the goldens from MN are bright gold and the ones from Arkansas are just silver in color.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Griz...

Are you over on Amelia by Villard?

[psegriz]

No but I've fished those lakes often. I'm about 20 mi. away.

[Kodiak]

any petsmart in the cities

[augernaut]

Sounds like these are hard to find in MN. Here in northern WI they are at most bait shops. GREAT crappie bait, and sometimes a very good walleye bait too.

[Mn Walleye 1976]

I seen them up in Onamia last year. Not Lundeens but the gas staion next to it, had the Rosey's last year.