I know decades ago I heard people used them. They would be very lively on a hook and why I asked I got a endless supply of them in ponds. They over winter very good in ponds almost devoid of oxygen.

I wonder if they are the same ones we use here in Florida? They are sort of thick and stubby and 2 or 3" long with an upturned mouth typically found in shallow muddy brackish areas. Yes, I really like using them and when I couldn't net a live well full of sardines I never complained about throwing my cast net on top of mud minnows. They are quite hardy in the live well and on the hook. If it wiggles they will eat it. Mud Minnows take a jig really well (stay lively and connected). Good bait!

Probably related in the same family. They usually around 2-4 inches and yes love muddy waters and swamps or ponds.


This is the central mud minnow
mudminnow picture-range

How bout that? As much time as I have spent trapping and seining minnows I have never run across Mud minnows in Michigan. Probably because, as the name implies, they are found in muddy areas.

The Florida Mud minnow share the same body style except that their mouth is upturned. If you have access to them by all means give them a go. It seems like they can survive in low oxygenated environments. They are hardy and lively on a hook, I have caught some nice fish with them using them on the back of a Hank Brown hookup jig. For a relatively small minnow they are surprisingly heavy and cast well. Nice package!

TGO how about becoming the mud minnow dealer of northern Minnesota. I remember when mudpuppies were used for awhile for walleye fishing.

Bullheads make for great giant Walter bait, too. I have a couple buddies that are diehard catfish guys and they catch a number of 10lb+ walleyes a year in the river while catfishing.

bmaines: "Bullheads make for great giant Walter bait, too. I have a couple buddies that are diehard catfish guys and they catch a number of 10lb+ walleyes a year in the river while catfishing."

I know some places do use bullheads for bait.

Pinetree: "TGO how about becoming the mud minnow dealer of northern Minnesota. I remember when mudpuppies were used for awhile for walleye fishing."

We get them by accident in the Chub and Rainbow tanks, but never in many numbers. When I used to be able to get out and trap, we got quite a few of them but usually dumped them as garbage.
They are tough minnows, very quick, and hard to catch when in the tank.