If a pond already exists, profits may be high enough to cover operating expenses. However, harvesting can be a major problem with existing farm ponds if they are deep, without drains, or filled with stumps and other debris. Recent economic analyses have indicated that baitfish production is, at best, only marginally profitable for new producers. Baitfish have relatively limited market outlets, and new producers are unlikely to capture sufficient market share to survive. The market for baitfish on the retail level is also extremely variable as the quantity and size of bait purchased depends upon the weather and on which fish are biting.
Production requires specialized hatchery techniques.
Existing producers have spent much time and effort developing their own production methods and markets. A producer should gain experience before planning to produce these species commercially and must expect to devote a large portion of his or her time to marketing efforts. However, harvesting crawfish by trapping requires considerable labor in the spring, when many row crop farmers are busy planting. Idaho and California produce the major portion of trout raised in the United States. Small operations in Arkansas are unlikely to be able to compete on a national level.