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

[Ohioguy25]

22 hours ago, 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.

So I ended up opting for a cheap $5 five gallon bucket from cabelas. Seems to be working well, water is treated and aerated but I keep hearing a loud “thud” of them trying to jump out of the bucket and hitting the lid. Are they going to kill them selves, should I put a net over it and take the lid off?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

So I ended up opting for a cheap $5 five gallon bucket from cabelas. Seems to be working well, water is treated and aerated but I keep hearing a loud “thud” of them trying to jump out of the bucket and hitting the lid. Are they going to kill them selves, should I put a net over it and take the lid off?

1 - Is that lid on tight or just resting? If it's on tight - remove it and just place it on...need the airflow.

2 - Ya, they'll thump the lid, but they can't get up enough speed to really hurt themselves doing that.

3 - If you want a drain for it - check wine making shops and get one of these - https://fermentaholics.com/product/fermenter-easy-on-off-spigot-with-lock/?utm_source=Google Shopping&utm_campaign=Fermentaholics General Feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=18412

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

1 - Is that lid on tight or just resting? If it's on tight - remove it and just place it on...need the airflow.

2 - Ya, they'll thump the lid, but they can't get up enough speed to really hurt themselves doing that.

3 - If you want a drain for it - check wine making shops and get one of these - https://fermentaholics.com/product/fermenter-easy-on-off-spigot-with-lock/?utm_source=Google Shopping&utm_campaign=Fermentaholics General Feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=18412

It’s just resting, not sealed. Good to know they can’t hurt themselves, gonna give them a whirl tomorrow! Thanks, I’ll prob order that! 

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/1/2020 at 9:10 PM, 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.

So I checked one of my traps this morning, loaded w big fat chubs and as I was scooping out some of the pizzeria combos I used as bait I felt a little pinch. There was a crawdad in there! I haven’t been able to find those for months, I thought they all burrowed down for the winter. Think he should be ok in the bucket w the minnows? He won’t kill them will he?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

So I checked one of my traps this morning, loaded w big fat chubs and as I was scooping out some of the pizzeria combos I used as bait I felt a little pinch. There was a crawdad in there! I haven’t been able to find those for months, I thought they all burrowed down for the winter. Think he should be ok in the bucket w the minnows? He won’t kill them will he?

Na - crayfish and the chubs will be fine together. Crayfish normally feed on things that fall to the bottom, including dead fish...won't go after the live ones.

[Ohioguy25]

48 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Na - crayfish and the chubs will be fine together. Crayfish normally feed on things that fall to the bottom, including dead fish...won't go after the live ones.

Yeah didn’t think so. Could be nice for cleanup! Check this out, first project w new drill my bro in law gave me.  Bench test for cooler, mini bait tank for transporting minnows from car to fishing spot in my backpack as I’m on crutches - 

 

https://ibb.co/pbbhGhm

 

 

[J Francho]

While I think the fish will be fine for the short term, crayfish can and will eat fish, usually at night when the resting at the bottom, asleep.  If that doesn't give you nightmares....

[Ohioguy25]

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

While I think the fish will be fine for the short term, crayfish can and will eat fish, usually at night when the resting at the bottom, asleep.  If that doesn't give you nightmares....

Haha thats terrifying. When I went to change the water today there was one floating on the top that had been chewed on, not sure if it died first or the crawdad got him but it was a little one so it’s not out of the question.

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/3/2020 at 6:13 PM, MN Fisher said:

Na - crayfish and the chubs will be fine together. Crayfish normally feed on things that fall to the bottom, including dead fish...won't go after the live ones.

Will chubs eat shiners? I caught a few that are in the 4-5” range, and I’ve got a bucket with a bunch of diff sized shiners in it.

[Fallser]

Pretty sure chubs don't eat larger minnows  If you've got some in the 1 inch or so range they may go after them.  More likely to eat fry.   They feed mainly on aquatic critters along with mayfly, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/8/2020 at 10:50 PM, Fallser said:

Pretty sure chubs don't eat larger minnows  If you've got some in the 1 inch or so range they may go after them.  More likely to eat fry.   They feed mainly on aquatic critters along with mayfly, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs

How do you think they constantly replenish? I’ve been able to get chubs out of the same creek sporadically throughout the summer. Does the rain wash them downstream and they get trapped when the water goes down or do they swim up/downstream and can’t go any further when they get to a hole with a small waterfall they can’t swim up?