I notice that emeralds seem to be a good part of a walleyes diet in the great lakes and I suppose other bodies of water that they are in, but I never hear of much mention of them here (like for ice fishing) is there a reason?? (Emeralds are rare where I am so we don't get them oftenand don't know a whole lot about them) Also have you ever heard of Emeralds naturally living in small lakes? I only have heard of them in BIG empoundments. CAN they be grown in ponds?

Chris.
Emeralds/i.e.Blues, are probably the most sought after shiner/minnows in most areas, if and when you can get them. They seem to be prefered by most of the preditor species over the others, at least in my area. Most are caught for wholsale use during the colder months and kept as long as they will last into the warmer months. This is because they head to deeper parts of the lakes during the summer months. Much like the smelt do during warm weather months. Grays are probably next in popularity. Both are a hearty minnow growing to about 4 inches maximum. Or thats at least how big I've ever seen them. I know they are native to most of the great lakes and none of inland lakes I know of.

Emerald Shiners are found in many inland lakes and rivers such as the Wisconsin River due to use as bait over the years and have established themselves since. They spawn when water temperatures hit approximately 65 degrees. They spawn cyclically throughout the spring, summer and fall in creeks. Millions can be seen entering small streams and creeks at spawing time, usually just before sunset and returning before sunrise. It is a frail minnow when used as bait, but an excellent bait just the same. Source... School of Natural Resources @ UW Stevens Point/ WI. DNR.

Emerald's and spottail shiners are the primary bait for perch on L. Erie. You sometimes get a few spottails mixed in with the emeralds. When ice fishing for walleyes on erie, it is std practice to tip all the hooks on jigging raps or pimples with small ones. I've never seen them for sale in Ohio outside the vicinity of L.Erie, presumably because they don't travel well.

From personal observations, they are present in at least some larger inland streams and small rivers in Ohio. Recently learned from our DNR they are part of the forage base in at least one reservoir in Oh.

I currently have 4 in my fish tank that have been in there for several yrs. I know that different S. Bass Erie ice guides have kept them in ponds, out of service tanks at the WWTP, or live boxes in the bay. They are sensitive to rapid temp changes and ammonia in warmer water.

If I had a pond, I'd try to raise common shiners before emeralds. I know of a breeding population in a small muddy pond created by damming a creek for a cement plant. I've had commons successfully reproduce in the fish tank w/o any special effort. Much tougher and they get bigger. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find some info on propagation for commons.

There has been at one thread in the past yr or so on catching them (General Discussion). At least one prior to that, if you care to do a search.

Good Luck,
jc