Just caught a bunch of minnows in the creek. How do I keep them alive?

[Ohioguy25]

I assume I need an aerator, do they make one that takes batteries and can be plugged into the wall? Not sure I’ll be able to fish for a few days.  Is an aerator all I need? Can I just use brita filtered water, how often does it need to be changed, and how cold do I want it to stay? What do I feed them? Lastly, is it worth going and buying a bunch of stuff or is it likely many will die? Thanks!

[brrbass]

It has been my experience with the minnows we have around here that they do not live very long. Most will die overnight unless you have a very good aerated cooler. It would be best if you could try to keep a few and see how they make it before you buy a bunch of supplies. Cool water temp, a bubbler of some kind, and fresh water every couple hours will help. Good luck.

[looking45]

Get a big enough bucket so you don't overcrowd them. You definitely want to get an aerator. You can get an aquarium pump from Walmart that plugs into the wall. Just stick an aerating stone on a piece of tubing and connect it to the pump. It would be better to have a battery powered one so you can take it with you when you go fishing. You don't need to feed them, but I would change the water every couple of days, depending on how many minnows you have

[newriverfisherman1953]

Put them in a minnow bucket and put them back in the creek. Keep a couple of days that way. 

[Ohioguy25]

51 minutes ago, looking45 said:

Get a big enough bucket so you don't overcrowd them. You definitely want to get an aerator. You can get an aquarium pump from Walmart that plugs into the wall. Just stick an aerating stone on a piece of tubing and connect it to the pump. It would be better to have a battery powered one so you can take it with you when you go fishing. You don't need to feed them, but I would change the water every couple of days, depending on how many minnows you have

Is the Frabill Flow Troll 6 quart big enough? I have probably 15 minnows. What is an aerator stone, and do they not make an aerator that takes batteries and can be plugged in? Can I buy all of this at cabelas?

7 minutes ago, newriverfisherman1953 said:

Put them in a minnow bucket and put them back in the creek. Keep a couple of days that way. 

Is that the only way? Creek is at my parents house.

[looking45]

The Flow Troll should be big enough for 15 minnows,but with limited water capacity at home, you'll definitely need an aerator. I'm not aware of an aerator that can use batteries and be plugged in. since you'll be so close to the creek, you won't need air transporting the minnows. But put the bucket in the creek as soon as you get there. This is an aerator stone. 

[TnRiver46]

I bet They sell a “bubble box” at cabelas that clips to the bucket and runs on batteries. It keeps the water aerated for a day or 2 if I recall correctly 

 

[Ohioguy25]

31 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I bet They sell a “bubble box” at cabelas that clips to the bucket and runs on batteries. It keeps the water aerated for a day or 2 if I recall correctly 

 

Yup, just picked one up @ cabelas. Ordered this on amazon too, USB chargeable:

 

https://www.amazon.com/KEDSUM-Aquarium-Rechargeable-Portable-Transportation/dp/B07SB4MLJ6

 

1 hour ago, looking45 said:

The Flow Troll should be big enough for 15 minnows,but with limited water capacity at home, you'll definitely need an aerator. I'm not aware of an aerator that can use batteries and be plugged in. since you'll be so close to the creek, you won't need air transporting the minnows. But put the bucket in the creek as soon as you get there. This is an aerator stone. 

Yeah, I ordered the USB chargeable one I linked above, seems to offer the best of both worlds as I can plug in at home and take it fishing. I tried the Frabill flow troll on my kayak but it slows me down quite a bit.

 

[Crackintubes]

Not overcrowding and a nice aerator will help do the trick. 

A friend of mine used to run a bait shop, and was having problems with lots of minnows passing away in a short period of time, even though he had top notch coolers and water recirc setup. 

This may seem counterintuitive, and I don't know the science behind it, but he talked to a few old timers, and they recommended adding table salt to the tanks. 

He tried it, ( don't know how much he was using, or what the ratio is for salt/gallons of water), but, it exponentially increased the minnow life, and he had significantly less loss. 

[J Francho]

If you want them to live more than a day, put them back in the creek. 

[Ohioguy25]

On 9/30/2020 at 2:01 PM, J Francho said:

If you want them to live more than a day, put them back in the creek. 

I set a trap a couple days ago in a tiny creek by me. I know it’s full, can I leave it another day or do I need to go get them so they don’t die or the trap doesn’t rust? It’s one of the Gees 40 silver ones and it was kinda pricy so I’d rather not ruin it as I just bought it. My foot is injured and I’m on crutches so I’d rather wait until I plan to fish to go get them, rainy here today.

[Ohioguy25]

On 9/28/2020 at 3:41 PM, looking45 said:

Get a big enough bucket so you don't overcrowd them. You definitely want to get an aerator. You can get an aquarium pump from Walmart that plugs into the wall. Just stick an aerating stone on a piece of tubing and connect it to the pump. It would be better to have a battery powered one so you can take it with you when you go fishing. You don't need to feed them, but I would change the water every couple of days, depending on how many minnows you have

So I now have 4 different aerators of diff sizes, as well as a 7.5 qt bait cooler as well as “Better Bait” bait conditioner (stuff that turns the water blue). All of this has worked well but I am curious if I put them in a big bucket with more room for them to swim around if it would keep them livelier? I have some really big creek chubs I just caught that I am really excited to use when the river water levels go back down in a couple days and they’re doing great very active I’ve been aerating and changing water daily I just want them to stay this way.  The only issue is changing the water in the big bucket, the Engel cooler I have has a net insert that makes this very easy, I’m not sure how I would do it in a big bucket.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So I now have 4 different aerators of diff sizes, as well as a 7.5 qt bait cooler as well as “Better Bait” bait conditioner (stuff that turns the water blue). All of this has worked well but I am curious if I put them in a big bucket with more room for them to swim around if it would keep them livelier? I have some really big creek chubs I just caught that I am really excited to use when the river water levels go back down in a couple days and they’re doing great very active I’ve been aerating and changing water daily I just want them to stay this way.  The only issue is changing the water in the big bucket, the Engel cooler I have has a net insert that makes this very easy, I’m not sure how I would do it in a big bucket.

For cheap - get a Coleman 55qt cooler. When you want to change the water, just hold a dip net over the inside drain outlet and take the cap off the outside. Drain it to 3"-4" deep, put the cap back on and fill with fresh water. Just brace the lid open a crack to insure airflow, install your aerator and you're good to go. Those Colemans can be filled to just under the top and hold the water...just don't try to move it when filled - 100+ lbs for a filled one.

[Ohioguy25]

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

For cheap - get a Coleman 55qt cooler. When you want to change the water, just hold a dip net over the inside drain outlet and take the cap off the outside. Drain it to 3"-4" deep, put the cap back on and fill with fresh water. Just brace the lid open a crack to insure airflow, install your aerator and you're good to go. Those Colemans can be filled to just under the top and hold the water...just don't try to move it when filled - 100+ lbs for a filled one.

Brilliant, not sure why I didn’t think of this. Thank you. Do you think having much more room than the 7.5 quarts I have now is necessary?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Brilliant, not sure why I didn’t think of this. Thank you. Do you think having much more room than the 7.5 quarts I have now is necessary?

More room will increase the chance of healthy minnows - gives them room to move and allows more dissolved oxygen. Just be sure to feed them if you're keeping them more than a few days - even standard tropical fish food would be a good bet...though you will have to change the water more often as uneaten food will cloud the water.

[Ohioguy25]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

More room will increase the chance of healthy minnows - gives them room to move and allows more dissolved oxygen. Just be sure to feed them if you're keeping them more than a few days - even standard tropical fish food would be a good bet...though you will have to change the water more often as uneaten food will cloud the water.

Yeah, I just realized how hard it will be to get that cooler up to the sink or toilet to drain, is there any other option or do you think the 7.5 quart is adequate for a couple dozen?

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah, I just realized how hard it will be to get that cooler up to the sink or toilet to drain, is there any other option or do you think the 7.5 quart is adequate for a couple dozen?

Little tight for a couple dozen - good aeration and frequent water changes would be the key...every 3-4 days.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Little tight for a couple dozen - good aeration and frequent water changes would be the key...every 3-4 days.

So you think I should be ok even with it being a little tight by changing water frequently (I do every day) aerating and treating water with that Better Bait water conditioner?

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Little tight for a couple dozen - good aeration and frequent water changes would be the key...every 3-4 days.

I found one that is smaller, 16 quart Coleman would fit right on my counter next to sink. You think I could drill a drain plug hole into it?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I found one that is smaller, 16 quart Coleman would fit right on my counter next to sink. You think I could drill a drain plug hole into it?

It's more than just drilling a hole - coolers are three layers. Outer and inner plastic with some type of insulation - usually foam - between. You'd have to seal in a tube between the outer and inner layers so that the draining water doesn't saturate and degrade the foam.

[Ohioguy25]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

It's more than just drilling a hole - coolers are three layers. Outer and inner plastic with some type of insulation - usually foam - between. You'd have to seal in a tube between the outer and inner layers so that the draining water doesn't saturate and degrade the foam.

Ahh good point, so I’m best off sticking with one built in.

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

It's more than just drilling a hole - coolers are three layers. Outer and inner plastic with some type of insulation - usually foam - between. You'd have to seal in a tube between the outer and inner layers so that the draining water doesn't saturate and degrade the foam.

There are several videos on YouTube of drilling drain plugs into coolers, you sure it’s that hard?

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Ahh good point, so I’m best off sticking with one built in.

There are several videos on YouTube of drilling drain plugs into coolers, you sure it’s that hard?

They all reference using some type of tube. Just have to make sure you seal it good.

 

[Ohioguy25]

19 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

They all reference using some type of tube. Just have to make sure you seal it good.

 

You think it would be difficult for someone who’s never done something like that?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

You think it would be difficult for someone who’s never done something like that?

Just have to be a bit methodical. Make sure you use a good, non-toxic sealant and don't have any gaps between the drain tube flange and the inner wall of the cooler.

 

If it wasn't being used as a bait-holder, you could use any sealant...with the minnows in there, make SURE it's a non-toxic one...otherwise wave goodbye to any minnows you put in it.

[Ohioguy25]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Just have to be a bit methodical. Make sure you use a good, non-toxic sealant and don't have any gaps between the drain tube flange and the inner wall of the cooler.

 

If it wasn't being used as a bait-holder, you could use any sealant...with the minnows in there, make SURE it's a non-toxic one...otherwise wave goodbye to any minnows you put in it.

Yeah for sure lol. Seems like a lot of work, but would be nice to have a little bait station.