How to keep minnows from freezing?

[bldfrt]

Maybe I'm short sited and only recalling last winters cold but I feel like my minnows always freeze up or freeze closed or something out on the ice. I've tried the regular minnow buckets and the small foam ones. What do you guys do to keep them while on the ice?

[Zktaylor]

I have an insulated minnow bucket. Picked it up at a local bait shop last year. Works awesome. I'm pretty sure you can even get them at walmart.

[boss j]

look for the white foam that fits inside a 5 gallon bucket. that works best that i have seen...

[netminder34]

I also use the 5 Gal bucket with the white foam insert, with an aerator and keeping the lid on it you should not have any issues.  We use them in Northern Mi and have not had them freeze even left out all night in the single digits unless the aerator quits.

[bldfrt]

I usually just carry everything so I try to pack as light as I can. Do you have to fill the 5 gallon insert

[beeverfishing]

I usually just carry everything so I try to pack as light as I can. Do you have to fill the 5 gallon insert

Walking to and from the ice you don't need to have it "filled", but need enough to keep bait alive.  Once you start drilling holes you can add more water from the lake.   A sled of sorts would help conciderably to take out your gear.  "Smitty sled" is compact, portable, cheap, and easy to customize. 
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.0

[hardwater diehard]

I use a Plano 722 3/4 filled and place that in a 5 gallon bucket stays pretty ice free for much of the day .

[MT_Boy]

Floating minnow net.  Drill a hole (or more) and let your minnows stay fresh in the lake.  You can cover the hole with a bucket or whatever if it is very cold/snowing.  Works better when the ice isn't as thick......may need to drill a couple of holes when the ice gets thick because the net won't spread out under the hole.  But a floating net doesn't weigh anything or take up much room.

[SoftSpot_716]

I have an insulated spill proof bait bucket but I also have one with the foam insert and an aerator. They both work well and I don't recall ever having frozen bait.

[levi]

crappie minnows i use one of those half gallon plastic thermos has a handle, a screw on lid in case i fall it don't break or leak, keeps them alive and good.

[tightliner812]

I have used an igloo water jug many of times . Works good to keep them from freezing on the ice but when I get home I bring in in on the back porch . Also you don't have to worry about it falling over and spilling all the water out .

[JoeB1]

I have used an igloo water jug many of times . Works good to keep them from freezing on the ice but when I get home I bring in in on the back porch . Also you don't have to worry about it falling over and spilling all the water out .

That's what I use also.

[tater140]

I started using an old gatorade bottle.  Put the 10 or so minnows you use every night in that, and leave the rest at home.  The screw on cap you can dump one out when needed, refill from the lake, etc....  They don't spill (with the cap on), the minnows don't seem to run out of o2, and the bottle doesn't cost a lot.  You can put them in your pocket if you want to warm them up slightly.   The other advantage is your buddies or adjacent mooches, aren't constantly hounding you for minnows when they don't have any.  They don't know you even have them until it's too late!!!!!

[bgriffis17]

wish 10- was all I needed any way I just sit them by the heater or dip out the ice and add more water its not to hard so a 5gal. bucket W/LID is all I need

[Jigmup]

put 'em in your mouth!

[bgriffis17]

I have a weak gag reflex its all I can do to keep my false teeth in mark

[bldfrt]

Walking to and from the ice you don't need to have it "filled", but need enough to keep bait alive.  Once you start drilling holes you can add more water from the lake.   A sled of sorts would help conciderably to take out your gear.  "Smitty sled" is compact, portable, cheap, and easy to customize. 
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.0

I have a sled and use it when there's not much snow but in my experience when I bring a sled I get a lot of "you got room in there for this stuff?" The thermos sounds like a great idea I never thought of that I'm gunna try it this year. I can't imagine it takes a super premium one for that. I also like the sound of switching water out. It seems my foam containers issue is that it freezes closed if I'm not in it constantly. Maybe I just need to catch more fish to fix that

[bubbagill]

Go to the dollar store and buy ya a thermos jug.  Put the minners in that, problem solved.

[tightliner812]

put 'em in your mouth!

Let me guess you learned that from one of your old fishing buddy's . 

[Jigmup]

Let me guess you learned that from one of your old fishing buddy's . 

Nah, drunken college dare but I had to swallow them. 

[Jigmup]

...but speaking of old fishing buddy's, If I told some stories about the Hillbilly that took me to Erie every weekend trolling, You guys would be thoroughly entertained!

[boss j]

i have also used a thomas jug, the kind with the flip up pour spout. a !/4 inch air line fits down into the pour spout and then i put a zip strip on the handle to clip my airorator. works good but on the coldest days, minuses to lowers single digits, it does get a little ice in it. not freezing to hurt the minnows but still some.

[tightliner812]

Nah, drunken college dare but I had to swallow them. 

Ah understood lol . We have all done stuff like that . Lol

[Fish_Tko]

I also use a 1 gallon igloo jug. Works like a charm. Tan take the beating of a 20 mile sled ride in a shanty too.

[Stinkybaits]

...but speaking of old fishing buddy's, If I told some stories about the Hillbilly that took me to Erie every weekend trolling, You guys would be thoroughly entertained!

Oh this is a must thread Jigmup. There's no ice we need a good laugh. 

[h2.0shaver]

I use the 6 gallon sit n fish bucket. It has an insulated insert and lid. Best minnow bucket ive found. Works great in the summer too

[whiteyes]

I also use the 5 Gal bucket with the white foam insert, with an aerator and keeping the lid on it you should not have any issues.  We use them in Northern Mi and have not had them freeze even left out all night in the single digits unless the aerator quits.

X2 This is same setup weve been using for years. With this setup you can have lots of shiners and fathead minnows in it. Thats if your after walleyes and northrens. You could get away with a smaller bucket if your only using crappie minnows but you'll want the bigger bucket for bigger minnows. I think Jim at PTO has the 5gallon foam inserts instock.

[wallin]

I have a 5 gallon bucket with a foam removable liner that has a lid also, don't always use the lid because I have a flip top lid on the bucket and an aerator and I use that blue stuff from Bass Pro in the minnows and every time I buy minnows I buy extra and can keep them for a month or so. I set them in my barn fridge in the winter and it keeps them from freezing.

[TeacherPreacher]

I bought a metal coffee can with a styrofoam liner in it while in Minnesota a couple years ago up by Walker, MN - Leach Lake. Has a styrofoam lid along with regular plastic lid.
Works great out on the ice.
Teach