Minnow Bucket Experiment

This year at Christmas I received an Engel bait cooler that was promptly returned. At first I couldn’t wait to throw some bait in a new gadget, but eventually decided it was unnecessary. My wife immediately thought something was wrong as I take pride in my outdoor gear and having quality tools to fit the task at hand. She was actually upset as she said a salesman at the area Scheels said it was the “best option available.”

I do however have a 15-20 year old plastic frabil minnow bucket that is missing half of the foam liner (or a dozen that meet this description). As of tonight, that bucket has kept ~30 crappie minnows alive for 16 days and change with exactly 1 minnow fatality. I changed the water only once about a week ago and they seemed lively yet tonight in the garage. At this point it’s a full on Science experiment to see how long they will survive without food, fancy aerators, and no other water changes.

Disclaimer: I completely understand the upgraded minnow buckets in the summer months when guys are running spendy willowcats or big suckers in warm temperatures as bait costs can pile up or if you run huge bait under tipups. However, I will not ever comprehend a $80-100 bait bucket for crappie minnows or fatheads though that I’ve seen on the regular the past few ice seasons.

What’s the longest anyone else has kept neglected minnows with minimal water changes in a plain old bucket? I’m curious if this is the norm or if the baitshop I use is just kicking out that great of bait.

i keep my minnows in the garage in an old 6.5 QT coleman lunch cooler. i drilled a hole through it and run a 110V aerator. ive kept shiners alive this way for over 2 weeks. crappie minnows? i imagine they would live this way until they starved to death. I will try to change out the water once every 4-5 days.

In the summer its a different story of course. I run the same setup but i will change the water out every 2-3 days and i will put frozen bottles of water in the cooler, 1 before i leave for work and 1 when i get home. I havent counted how long ive kept minnows alive doing this but i know ive kept shinners alive for as many as 7 days doing this maybe longer. Fatheads and crappie minnows? weeks.

i think keeping the water fresh is key. for your experiment i would expect you could keep crappie minnows alive for several weeks in your garage in winter without changing out the water.

I share your opinion about the engel coolers. Its absurd that people spend that kind of money on a bait cooler when a simple lunch cooler will work pretty close to as well. The only benefit i think the engel has that a regular cooler doesnt is that it seals very well which is beneficial for guys who are flying across the ice on machines so the bait doesnt get tossed around and killed or spilled out everywhere. Ive even seen fellas add a simple gasket liner to coolers an a few latches to simulate this and you can have your own for a fraction of the price. To each their own though

I just use a 5 gallon pail. I keep crappie minnows and fatheads all winter long. I change the water every two weeks on those.

I also have a 5 gallon pail with a half gallon of shiners and the fatalities are very low. I do have to change the water every week and run an aerator on those. Shiners are much more finicky but I’ve had these for over a month and they are in great shape.

The key is really not to over crowd the minnows. If you have plenty of water and you keep them cool you are good to go. If the water gets cloudy change it ASAP and they will last a long time!

I keep my minnows in the garage or a basement fridge for a few weeks at a time. This last time I had shiners, fatheads and a few small suckers in a plastic frabill bucket for over 2 weeks. I usually change the water but was traveling and forget. I only lost 2 shiners. Keep them cool and they stay alive a long time.

I will be honest and admit I bought the 13QT live bait cooler i think two years ago. I really like it to be honest, also gets used in the summer when the temps get hot I will toss in a 1/2 gallon ice container.

But that wasnt the reason why I bought it initially. I had stopped by the baitshop and picked up some minnows, unfortunately had to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident and the bucket went over, the minnows were contained but the water unfortunately went everywhere. In the end it cost about $500 to have the vehicle thoroughly cleaned and then stored in a heated garage for about three days to completely dry out.

When I saw the Engel cooler I was looking for something anyways because my old cooler bucket was beat up and about done for. What caught my attention was that it was really built well and had that gasket seal.

If it tips over it will leak a little, but in the case above I could have tipped it back up and only maybe had a cup of water leak out at most instead of the 2 gallons I was dealing with before.

Was it worth 70 bucks? I would like to think so, maybe I look at as it might save me $430 in the future.

I regretfully forgot minnows in a 5 gallon bucket in my shed a couple years ago. It was a mildy late winter that year, and I believe temps hovered between 15-40 for months. So I had around 2 scoops of crappie minnows for a big fishing day in Feb that got cut short. When I got home I wrapped the bucket with a cheap moving blanket, tucked it in the corner with a lid on it. I figured I’d use them within a couple days. Work got busy and I didn’t get out again for awhile. Somehow I overlooked the bucket till middle of April sometime. There was not one dead minnow! They made it for a solid 9-10 weeks with no water change or food.
I routinely keep minnows in my basement for up to 2 weeks without a water change. In a regular 5 gallon bucket. I put some snow in my water every other day if I remember.

The locking lid is what i would be after. More than once i’ve dumped a regular bait bucket , one time just made it onto the lake ,and they were everywhere . Had to drill a hole quick to replace all the water and pick up what minnows i could find .

Three weeks now and my crappie minnows are still alive in a 1 gal ice cream bucket in the garage. No water change either. Hoping I can use them soon….not lol.

I have the large Engel and love it. I use it for suckers and bullheads for catfishing in the summer and suckers and shiners in the Winter. Sure any container can keep bait alive. Why I love my Engel is it doesn’t spill, takes a BEATING, and my water doesn’t freeze when I’m out all day on the ice. Is it a MUST HAVE piece of gear. No. Is it nice to have? Definitely.

I see your point. If what you have works, then why change. I am not the guy who rushes to the newest gear just because it’s out there. I swear that I need to invent something for ice fishing because those guys chase new gear like I wouldn’t believe. Replacing stuff they just got last year for the latest model.

However, I see something like the Engel coolers as a nice option to have for the future. Some day you may find a use case for it. Maybe you have extra people out fishing with you and need a second bucket, etc. I’m the kind of guy who has multiple versions of things for different use cases. 4 different landing nets, etc. It’s just nice to have options.

And if it was given to me as a gift, I would’ve kept it because I’d know that someday I would probably use it. But again, whatever works for you.

engel bait box tip…put some petroleum jelly on the seal. That way, it won’t freeze shut with water bouncing around.

COOLER AND A 120V AERATOR AND A BATTERY OPERATED ONE WORKS GREAT!

Don Meier wrote:

The locking lid is what i would be after. More than once i’ve dumped a regular bait bucket , one time just made it onto the lake ,and they were everywhere . Had to drill a hole quick to replace all the water and pick up what minnows i could find .

I watched my buddy do that yesterday

My most expensive, least used fishing reel was from my fiance. Amazon lists are key now!

Frabill now makes a nice bait cooler to compete with Engel that looks pretty much the same. The Engel’s aerator is loud so I first replaced it with a Hush bubbles battery/adaptor air pump which is much better. I fish mostly out of a wheel house, I have bought a Mylivell standard aquarium air pump off Amazon. Absolutely silent and provide plenty of air. The Hush bubbles is used mostly for transport these days. Yes, the security of the lockable lid is very nice.

Joe Scegura wrote:

I just use a 5 gallon pail. I keep crappie minnows and fatheads all winter long. I change the water every two weeks on those.

I also have a 5 gallon pail with a half gallon of shiners and the fatalities are very low. I do have to change the water every week and run an aerator on those. Shiners are much more finicky but I’ve had these for over a month and they are in great shape.

The key is really not to over crowd the minnows. If you have plenty of water and you keep them cool you are good to go. If the water gets cloudy change it ASAP and they will last a long time!

This.

With cold fresh water, I’ve kept several dozen (like 8-9) crappie minnows for 2-3 months in a 3 gallon bucket that’s in the back of my fridge. I used them before they “expired” but I’m sure they would have lasted longer.

I like to change 50% of the water every 2-3 days with the coldest my tap provides. I maintain aquariums so I also use Seachem Prime (a fantastic dechlorinator) with every water change.

Also, I never fed those minnows either and I rarely had a casualty. Food just pollutes the water and adds an enormous amount of unnecessary ammonia to the water.

In my opinion if you buy an Engel cooler thinking it will help you keep bait longer you’re missing the point of the product.

The key to keeping bait alive is water temperature, oxygen, and water volume. Your minnows don’t care what shape the water is in so a styrofoam cooler, 5 gallon pail, wife Tupperware… all things the same your minnows will stay alive for the same amount of time regardless of the container.

The reason I love my Engel Coolers, and know I have absolutely no relationship with the company whatsoever, is the form factor and durability.

I find them to be absolutely indestructible. I know I can put them in an otter sled with an auger and 20 gallon propane tank and make a long run across a rough lake and when I get there the cooler is going to be in perfect condition along with my bait. Styrofoam coolers shred to pieces under the same scenario and five gallon pails are always tipping over and lack a decent lid.

That’s a good point, James. I’m one of those guys that if you can make it for cheaper or if a cheaper product can produce the same outcome I will go the cheaper route.
With the Engel I see the benefits you and others mention. I now use a 2 gallon igloo water jug for minnows and it works well but it is tippy and the top freezes. When I refurbish my old aluminum boat I’m going to build a frame(maybe 2)to set the cooler in and take it out at the end of the day. For now, work is slow and the budget is narrow the Engel is on hold for a bit.

If anyone is in the market for an Engel, watch out for the 15% or sometimes 20% off days on eBay that will happen from time to time. I suspect we will see more of them now after the holidays when people stop buying stuff. I got mine last year for the lowest price anywhere when using such a coupon.

Your right on those end of the year coupons, I just got a helix 5 gen 2 gps for 178.00 bucks to put on my fourwheeler, I wished I would have added a Engel cooler too. I use a igloo cooler with a hush bubbles and it spills water all over when in route. I will have one by next year.

James Holst wrote:

In my opinion if you buy an Engel cooler thinking it will help you keep bait longer you’re missing the point of the product.

The key to keeping bait alive is water temperature, oxygen, and water volume. Your minnows don’t care what shape the water is in so a styrofoam cooler, 5 gallon pail, wife Tupperware… all things the same your minnows will stay alive for the same amount of time regardless of the container.

The reason I love my Engel Coolers, and know I have absolutely no relationship with the company whatsoever, is the form factor and durability.

I find them to be absolutely indestructible. I know I can put them in an otter sled with an auger and 20 gallon propane tank and make a long run across a rough lake and when I get there the cooler is going to be in perfect condition along with my bait. Styrofoam coolers shred to pieces under the same scenario and five gallon pails are always tipping over and lack a decent lid.

Exactly!

Im liking the new Frabill Magnum 13 . Hoping for one of those coupons

I have 2 Engel coolers the smallest one and medium one. The smaller one I’ve had for 5 years and use it for minnows and the medium I use as a cooler. I call it my cheap yeti. They are great coolers.

How long will fatheads stay alive? I would love to have minnows on Pool 2 in the winter, but not easy to find bait between Eagan and 494 ramp.

DaveB wrote:

How long will fatheads stay alive? I would love to have minnows on Pool 2 in the winter, but not easy to find bait between Eagan and 494 ramp.

You can get fatheads at the Ace Hardware on Diamond Lake and Nicollet and the BP gas station on Hwy 77 and Old Shakopee Rd all winter long. That BP isn’t too far out of the way for you. My experience is the BP has pretty quality bait – the minnows at Ace seem to be on the small side usually.

Matt Moen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
How long will fatheads stay alive? I would love to have minnows on Pool 2 in the winter, but not easy to find bait between Eagan and 494 ramp.

You can get fatheads at the Ace Hardware on Diamond Lake and Nicollet and the BP gas station on Hwy 77 and Old Shakopee Rd all winter long. That BP isn’t too far out of the way for you. My experience is the BP has pretty quality bait – the minnows at Ace seem to be on the small side usually.

You underestimate how lazy I am.

Don Meier wrote:

Im liking the new Frabill Magnum 13 . Hoping for one of those coupons

The aerator fitting into the lid looks really nice! I always thought that was really awkward (lazy and cheap on their part too!) to just have it hanging off the side of the Engel. Somebody stole my Engel last year and I’m way too lazy to make my own, definitely going to try this Frabill one instead.

Michael Saal wrote:

I have 2 Engel coolers the smallest one and medium one. The smaller one I’ve had for 5 years and use it for minnows and the medium I use as a cooler. I call it my cheap yeti. They are great coolers.

I too have the small and medium one except I use the medium for bait and the small one for snacks and drinks. It doesn’t hold ice too long but long enough to keep a couple drinks cold for an afternoon. I was lucky enough to find the small one in my neighbors dumpster one morning when I was driving back from fishing. Grabbed it, brought it home and checked for leaks. Needless to say I was pretty confused as to why someone would throw a perfect bait cooler away??

All that said, can you even bring minnows home anymore?

I kid somewhat but the way things are changing, I feel we’ll be dumping all bait on shore in a few years anyways.

My personal practice is aerate minnows in a 5 gallon bucket when I get home. Never change water (…I mean…with fresh clean water of course after I leave the lake). I see about a 1/4 die or less in a week unless their shinners then their all dead.

Went out of town for about a week then got home and sat on the couch for a few days then got sick and was laying in bed for a few days. All told I didn’t pay attention to the minnows in my garage for about 2 weeks. Last night I went and checked on them. The water was frozen on top but all the minnows were swimming around. Doesn’t appear I’ve lost one minnow and I’ve had these for going on a month. Havent changed the water since I could brake open the ice with a spud bar. Fatheads.