Minnow Bucket - What are you using?

[SirCranksalot]

those of you who use Coleman's with the screw top. Do you keep an Aerator in it while you're out on the ice? Here in NH we use Smelt that are pretty sensitive. Just wondering exactly how you're set up with it out on the ice.

no reason to use aerator on the ice-------dip fresh water from the lake or dunk them in a hole in a mesh bag.

[hays47]

Never liked anything with a screw on lid. Due to fact most of my ice fishing is done on the outside. Hate shelters but have to use occasionally . So the screw on lid seems to freeze for me. The hotter the fishing the more likely it happens to me. Water gets on threads and it is stuck fast.

The best one I ever had I made myself. It was a cooler with a flip over lid. The two side buttons released the lid. Had bubbler mounted on one side and two holes on lid for the airlines. Somehow it has disappeared. So have to build another for this season.

[Uncle Al]

hays47 put some Vaseline on the threads before you leave the house, that will keep the top from freezing.

[ice dawg]

Engel 13 quart.

[RickWakeman]

I use a homer bucket with a screw on lid. I thought that was the status quo

[DR.SPECKLER]

I use a old frabill bait bucket.it had styrofoam inside but that cracked and fell out so i sprayed the outside with spray foam and sanded it down and that works great.

[Gunflint]

 I use 2 minnow buckets. One is for fishing and one is for storage.

1. The small 1/2 gallon Igloo is what I put in the sled to haul out on the ice.



2. The larger Engel with aerator (battery or 120VAC) is what I store the minnows in back at the cabin. Will keep them alive for at least a week.

[Unclegillhunter]

So what if you drink a little minnow water?  Builds character.

LOL I had to get a face shield at work cause washing out certain trailers after delivery I had pork blood splashing up into my face. So a little minnow water? Forget about it! 
Keep it safe! JDL

[mi500]

I use a couple 6pack coolers.  Never an aerator.   I just change the water out slowly throughout the day until I figure it’s 100% lake water.  I keep the cooler on my porch like that and it seems I can keep a couple dozen minnows alive at least a week like that.  Shiners and suckers are a little touchy at times but still not too bad. 

[SirCranksalot]

Yup---really easy to do.

[tracksnorth]

had my engals for 4 years now and I love em