Small minnow container

[CoachWalleye74]

Anyone ever use the Frabill worm and leech lodge or Strikemaster bait bucket for minnows while ice fishing.  We keep a large engel in the house or permy but are looking for something small to take in the portys while hopping around.  Keys are small and sexure so water doesnt get out top bad.  I would imagine that if the container is “air tight” the minnows wouldnt last long?  I thought about drilling a couple real tiny holes in the lid of the strikemaster bait bucket to let a little air in/out but not have water completely drain if it tips over in transport.  The frabill has some ventilation options with the turnable piece up top, may just do the trick. Thoughts? 

[RapShack]

I would use either of those, or some ice cream buckets.  Yes they will die faster in an airtight enclosure but it takes a while and you'll presumably be opening and closing it throughout the day.  You can also add some water as you go along if needed.  Main thing is don't put too many minnows in one bucket.

[Old Goat]

    It's in the fridge. The Frabill has holes already in it on the top. Frabill also makes one about 1/4 or 1/3 that size nice for crappie minnows.  The little ones are also vented.

[slipperybob]

Sports insulated drinking water bottle...then just label, do not drink. 

[2MuchStuff]

I use a 2 quart plastic thermos drink jug with a screw on lid.  Like stated above, I don't worry about a lack of oxygen as I open the lid every time I need a minnow.  If they look like they are starting to come to the top, wanting oxygen, I open the flip spout on the jug and pour off some water and then I put a scoop of new water in.  I usually use it for walleye fishing because I don't have to worry about the minnow spilling out while taking long trips out onto Saginaw Bay.  And, I usually put 1-2 dozen minnows in it that average about 3 inches long.   But, I'm sure it would work good for a couple dozen perch or crappie minnows, just as well.
x2
I have had the screw down top freeze shut before ,can be a pain when setting up before shack is up or out in the open

[Fry Flier]

This came up the other day on another local forum, This is what I have been using for the past 10 -12 years. Could not remember the name of it and another fisher stated that they believe it to be a "Quick Minnow" not sure if it is still available.

You can wear it under your Jacket, It has a strainer cap and a non-spill cap. Tip it up and poof out comes your minnow.

[Kevin23]

The strikemaster one is kick-butt. You dont need air holes for a day trip, just keep them cold. Every time you open it to get a fresh one you will add oxygen.

[Monticatgeek]

I use one of these two depending depending on how I am fishing that day. If I am running and gunning off my four wheeler I run just the half gallon insulated bucket and if I am fishing any of my portable houses I use the baitwell which is the same bucket that is used in the insulated bucket but it has a bracket to hold the pail right on your portable house.

here is the insulated bucket :

https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/bait-bucket.html#163=

here is the bait well : 

https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/bait-well.html

now if you want the best of both you can buy the insulated bucket and then buy this bracket to make a bait well with having the insulated cover for the pail too :

https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/bucket-bracket-holder.html

[SirCranksalot]

You could use 1 of these and plunk it down the hole when not moving

https://bait2go.com/

[chaumontriverguy]

Yeah I've got a quick minnow their discontinued works great you flip it go get a minnow it will swim down so your not dipping into the container and it fits down a hole to change the water

[Frankie Bags]

I’ve used the Bait-Up container for hole hopping. Works great and the smaller one fits in your pocket.

[bart]

I have two insulated water jugs, they work well. I bought one at a garage sale for .25 cents.  I use a aerator while at home. I run the tubing through the mouth piece, replace the stone, it keeps them lively.

[Jiggerdoodle]

I use one of those cans that coffee comes in.  Can keep minnows in for at least a week.

[CoachWalleye74]

Bart, how do you mount your aerator on the cooler jug?

[bart]

Bart, how do you mount your aerator on the cooler jug?

I only use the aerator at home. I run the tubing through the mouth piece, replace the stone and plug it in...

[bart]

Nice!  That doesn't pinch the hose when you close the mouth piece?

I leave it open while using the aerator. It works well in a 2 gallon jug also.

[Rebelss]

I only use the aerator at home. I run the tubing through the mouth piece, replace the stone and plug it in...
(Image removed from quote.)

Brilliant!      Now to add a big straw to suck one out! 

[jiignut]

The BEST! Summer or winter. Easy water change, no bait loss when dumping. No net needed or wet hands. Minnows float up in basket out of the water. Opens on both ends. Ingenious! Wish I thought of that. Perfection. There’s a cheaper brand but out of stock on Amazon. Ive only used it with fat heads, naturally durable but so easy to change out water others should be fine.

[SirCranksalot]

yup---quite similar to the one I posted above.Dunk it down the (spare) hole while fishing
 

[CoachWalleye74]

I have a couple of the "Genie Jar" style bait holders.  Mine froze up when using it ice fishing. 

[tater140]

Gatorade bottle.  I have used the medium sized one lots.  you can fit quite a few minnows in there and just dump one out in your hand when needed.  After a couple of dumps you just dip it back in the lake to fill up.  You have to keep them from freezing, but they didn't seem to freeze too fast on me.  Even though they are sealed I never really felt like minnows died very fast in there.  i would suspect they would go a couple of days in there.