Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Terrible idea? Thinking of starting a business...

I'm tossing around the idea of starting a small time aquaculture business....mostly just focusing on different minnow species, at least at first.

I've got the property and already have a couple of small feed-out ponds that are providing more FHM and BG than I could ever use.

I'd have very little invested here.....except some time.

I don't really know where to start other than getting the LLC/etc....anyone want to point me in the right direction for some good reading materials?

http://www.ehow.com/how_8694697_start-fish-farm-illinois.html. This could be a starting point.

LLC not needed if you don't have large liabilities, high risk business model for lawsuits (like an indoor trampoline gym or go kart track), or have a big target on you personally due to having high assets yourself that would make you a target for lawsuits. Could easily set up a DBA 'doing business as' with a separate bank account to keep track of profits and expenses to help report 'income'.

paperwork for LLCs and costs to maintain can be a downside. Dave Ramsey has some good books to help folks who are looking to start up a home based or backyard based business to get up and running.

The biggy would be learning how to navigate sale of live fish across state lines.

You should breed northern gass shrimp ..People seem to be looking for them.

Also maybe minnows that are not industrially raised. Perhaps SFS , BNM or even LCS. Could give you something to offer that most don't have.

Bobby you're playing my tune. That's exactly what I was planning...I've had one heck of a time sourcing LCS not to mention grass shrimp. I doubt it'd be much of a money making endeavor, but it's a good use of grow out ponds and I want to use it as a learning experience for the kids.

Too bad we are not closer. I like the idea but am not interest in the business aspect of it. If I ever get PK shrimp going, I hope those close by can come visit and get some.

+1000...and don't forget papershell crawfish!

I have 36 3-4 inch LCS in a grow out pen right now.
I am not sure what to do with them just yet. I got them when I ran across them because I thought I would not see them again.

If I cannot source PK shrimp next year, I may try LCS in my new forage pond.

If I can confirm that i have a healthy crop of YOY LCS and can figure out how to get them in a trap or a net I'm happy to help provide some to other PB members so they can start a grow out pond project of their own.

I have minnows going crazy at feeding time, jumping out of the water, splashing, groups of minnows that can't get the pellets in their mouth swimming around and pushing the pellets around in groups trying to pick away at them and they are NOT FHM. They are shiner minnows or LCS young. I hope to try a cast net next at feeding time as they don't seem to enter traps.

I had hoped to have plenty of PK shrimp by this time but it appears the RES and probably/possibly the YP are cleaning them up.