They ship Shinners in and make the same amount ?

Don't know who told you that but that's the furthest from the truth. The dealer have to go pick up the Goldie's themselves that they sell.
Minnow catching is not as easy as most think it is . Sure dipping a couple of hundred off a dock or pier is enough for you to fish with. .

Dealers needs to catch about a 100 gallons to supply the shops they take care of. A gallon consist of roughly 2500-3500 minnows depending on their size.
Yep a lot tougher to catch that many to supply the shops.

Michigan is allowed to ship Shinners in from other states but Ohio stopped the dealers from doing so due to the spread of VHS. .

Believe me ,all the local shops would love to have Emeralds 100% of the time for you !!