Fathead Minnow
$21.95
| Name | Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) |
| Size | 1-2" |
| Availability | April-November |
| Stocking Rate | - New ponds: up to 20 lbs/acre - Stocked/Established Ponds: up to 50 lbs/acre |
| Weight Pricing | (1 quantity = 1 lb) 1-9 lbs: $21.95/lb 10 - 19 lbs: $20.95/lb 20 lbs+: $19.95/lb |
UPS Next Day Air® Fish shipments are sent out every Wednesday, weather permitting. Please note that the cutoff time each week is Tuesday at 5pm. Orders received after this deadline will be shipped the following week.
Fathead Minnows provide excellent forage for most game species, averaging just 1-3 inches in length at adulthood. It is recommended that they be stocked on a regular basis to insure proper feed ratios for game fish. To observe minnow populations, check around your pond in early spring. Minnows will school in warmer water at the edges of a pond looking for feed which primarily consists of algae and plankton. Spawning occurs when the water temperature reaches 65 degrees F and continues throughout the summer as many as 5 or 6 times. Flat stones or boards which have been propped up facilitate spawning and provide cover and therefore should be added around the edge of your pond in 1-3 feet of water. Males, usually darker in color during spawning, will pick up and deposit eggs on the underside of flat surfaces with hatching occurring in 5-6 days. Minnows make excellent bait and will help to control mosquito populations as well. Approximately 200/lb.
NOTE ON SHIPPING FISH: If you would like us to ship your fish directly to you, you must be within the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia. Fish will only ship during the available season. Shipping is calculated at checkout and only offered via UPS overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pounds of fathead minnows should I stock per acre?
For new ponds we recommend up to 20 lbs of fathead minnows per acre; established ponds with existing predators can take up to 50 lbs per acre. At roughly 200 minnows per pound, that is a dense forage base that spawns repeatedly through the season. Restock regularly to keep feed ratios right for your game fish.
When are fathead minnows available and when should I stock them?
Fathead minnows are available April through November (we do not transport fish in July-August due to heat). Stock them before or alongside your predators - they begin spawning once water hits 65°F and can spawn 5-6 times through the summer.
What fish do fathead minnows feed?
Fathead minnows are excellent forage for most game species - largemouth bass, trout, catfish, and crappie. Adding flat stones or propped boards in 1-3 feet of water gives them spawning surfaces that keep the food chain producing. They also help control mosquito populations.
How do I get live minnows from Mid-Atlantic Stocking?
Three ways: free pickup at a scheduled delivery-route stop (routes run roughly monthly, April-October), UPS Next Day Air shipping every Wednesday (order by Tuesday 5 PM) to CT, DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA & WV, or direct-to-pond delivery by quote. Fish are packaged with water and pure oxygen.
What if some minnows do not survive the trip?
All our fish are certified disease-free, and we replace any mortality over 5% - in transit, or within 48 hours of introduction when the acclimation directions are followed. Document losses with photos and file a Mortality Report on our website.
Additional information
| Weight | 6.25 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2 × 2 × 2 in |
| Quantity | 1-9, 10-19, 20+ |
Pond-Size Stocking Guide
Use the table below to determine how many pounds of fathead minnows to stock based on your pond size. New ponds without existing predators use the lower rate; established ponds with bass, catfish, or other predators need the higher rate because new minnows face immediate predation.
| Pond Size | New Pond (20 lbs/acre) | Established Pond (50 lbs/acre) | Approx. Fish Count (New) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ acre | 5 lbs | 12 lbs | ~1,000 | Essential first step for new bass-bluegill ponds |
| ½ acre | 10 lbs | 25 lbs | ~2,000 | Builds a strong forage base quickly |
| 1 acre | 20 lbs | 50 lbs | ~4,000 | Standard rate for new pond establishment |
| 2 acres | 40 lbs | 100 lbs | ~8,000 | Contact us for volume pricing at 20+ lbs |
| 5 acres | 100 lbs | 250 lbs | ~20,000 | Contact us for large-order pricing |
| 10 acres | 200 lbs | 500 lbs | ~40,000 | Contact us for large-order pricing and delivery |
Minnow subscriptions are available for regular restocking at discounted rates — ask us about automatic seasonal deliveries.
Stocking Sequence & Timing
Stock minnows first. Fathead minnows should be one of the first species stocked in a new pond. They establish the forage base that bass and other predators depend on for healthy growth. Without an established minnow population, predator fish will struggle and may turn to less desirable food sources.
Recommended sequence for bass-bluegill ponds: fathead minnows first → bluegill 4–6 weeks later → largemouth bass 6–12 months after that. This patience ensures your predator fish have abundant forage from day one.
Want to stock everything at once? Our Bass Pond Package includes fathead minnows (1–2″), bluegill (3–5″), channel catfish (4–6″), and largemouth bass (4–6″) sized for ¼- to 1-acre ponds. The minnows provide immediate forage while your game fish grow into the pond. Prefer a trout fishery? Our Trout Pond Package pairs minnows with black crappie and rainbow trout.
Spawning & Reproduction
Fathead minnows are prolific spawners. Once water temperatures reach 65°F, spawning begins and can continue 5 to 6 times throughout the summer months. This high reproductive rate is what makes them such effective forage fish.
Spawning tip: To encourage reproduction, place flat stones, ceramic tiles, or boards propped up around the pond edges in 1 to 3 feet of water. Male fatheads deposit and guard eggs on the underside of flat surfaces. The more spawning sites you provide, the more successful reproduction will be.
Ongoing Restocking
Regular restocking is recommended to maintain healthy forage ratios, especially in ponds with active predator populations. Bass and catfish can consume minnows faster than they reproduce in smaller ponds. Consider our Fathead Minnow Subscription for automatic, discounted restocking throughout the season — we handle the timing so you don’t have to.
