LONOKE, Ark. — They are on the bucket list of every freshwater fisherman from coast to coast in America: Minnows.
Many of the lil' fish used are from Anderson Farms, an Arkansas-based farm that's been in business for over 70 years.
The yearly numbers of minnows shipped out of here are staggering.
"Of our golden shiners, that's number one. We'll hatch 1.3 billion, with a 'b.' Goldfish, we'll hatch about 40 to 50 million. Black salties, around 30 to 40 million," Jamie Anderson, Vice President of Operations at Anderson Farms, said.
Jamie is third-generation Anderson and runs the day to day operation. Now in its seventieth year. it's pretty much an island.
"We have 334 ponds currently," Jamie said.
And in Pond 286 West, even in the dead of winter, the demand is alive and well. The harvest continues for the black salty, a baitfish patented at Anderson's.
The net gain of all this is that the Andersons, and all of Arkansas aquaculture, is thriving.
"We're number one in baitfish production, number one in goldfish production, number one in hybrid-striped-bass fingerling production, number one in grass carp production, number one in species of game fish," Jamie said.
Not only are they leading in fish farms, but in research.
"The researchers and extension people from Arkansas, are just world renowned," he said. "This is the largest of any species of fish hatchery in the world."
Jamie said his goal is to get about a million to two million fish per tank. That's millions born in each barrel every six days
"Our minnows are arrogant. They wear the Anderson logo proudly," Jamie said.