Catching Minnows

[Facepalmmaster]

I'm fairly new to fishing, and wanted to try using minnows for bait (never could before). If there are minnows in my lake (which im pretty sure there are minnows in almost every lake), how do I catch them. I get that i can't catch them with a hook and line, but I found a minnow trap thing that uses just a soda bottle and some bait, and if that's a good trap (if you know what trap i'm talking about) what bait should I use. I dont have much money, so whatever you suggest, try to make it with regular household items.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Wow that takes me back. My buddies and I used to make those when we were kids. We always used cat food in them. Worked like a charm, we'd catch hundreds of them.

[Facepalmmaster]

Wow that takes me back. My buddies and I used to make those when we were kids. We always used cat food in them. Worked like a charm, we'd catch hundreds of them.

So it works? Thats good, im just worried now that I wont pick the right place or that there are arent any minnows in my pond, ive seen tons of bluegills, but no minnows, hopefully theyre hiding under the algae. Oh, and do you think that bread or hot dog would work, i dont have a cat, so no cat food

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Hot dog I'm kinda iffy about. I would imagine bread would work just fine. I actually believe that we used bread when we were outta cat food. I would place a few under the algae, a few about six inches off the shore by the algae and other various spots it looks like they might congregate. Oh and make sure that they are completely submerged.

[Avid Angler FL]

Yes these work! Like Raider said, they're really effective too! Bread works really well, and so does dry dog food. Just depends on what you have on hand. Minnows aren't that picky, so don't worry. I currently have two of these traps, and they REALLY work. It sometimes works best to set them in the evening before the day of a planned trip. Just bait, and make sure there are plenty of holes on the sides so that air bubbles can completely escape and keep the trap submerged. The next morning, you should have a decent amount of bait, and you can keep checking and re-baiting and reusing the trap all throughout the day. Just make sure you have a minnow bucket and keep them in the shade, and frequently change some of their water so that they stay alive and kickin! -Garrett

[MuffinMan]

bread, cheese, and oatmeal, my favorite is otmeal( it causes a huuuge feedikng frenzy!

[Facepalmmaster]

Yes these work! Like Raider said, they're really effective too! Bread works really well, and so does dry dog food. Just depends on what you have on hand. Minnows aren't that picky, so don't worry. I currently have two of these traps, and they REALLY work. It sometimes works best to set them in the evening before the day of a planned trip. Just bait, and make sure there are plenty of holes on the sides so that air bubbles can completely escape and keep the trap submerged. The next morning, you should have a decent amount of bait, and you can keep checking and re-baiting and reusing the trap all throughout the day. Just make sure you have a minnow bucket and keep them in the shade, and frequently change some of their water so that they stay alive and kickin! -Garrett

Thanks . Although, i'm not sure I have a bucket for them. Couldn't I just keep them in the minnow trap and put some holes in it?

[hatrix]

I have tried to use that trap a couple of times to catch minnows for the kids. I never catch any thing in it though. I have even let it sit over night before and when I checked it the next day it had 2 dead minnows in it. I have tried using bread and worms and it just doesn't work for me.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I have tried to use that trap a couple of times to catch minnows for the kids. I never catch any thing in it though. I have even let it sit over night before and when I checked it the next day it had 2 dead minnows in it. I have tried using bread and worms and it just doesn't work for me.

That's cause you didn't use dry animal feed.

[Facepalmmaster]

I have tried to use that trap a couple of times to catch minnows for the kids. I never catch any thing in it though. I have even let it sit over night before and when I checked it the next day it had 2 dead minnows in it. I have tried using bread and worms and it just doesn't work for me.

Same here, nothing, though i dont think there are any actual minnows in my lake, just small sunnies. I'm gonna try again some other time, but i dont know.

[Avid Angler FL]

Well you can leave them in the trap, but you'll have to rebait frequently, which means pulling the trap out of the water. So if you use the trap as a container for them, don't expect to catch too many more, as you will be moving the trap frequently. You could use an old milk jug with the top cut off if you want something to store them in.