Minnow freeze

What is the best way to freeze minnows for the winter season. I know I have seen something about salt but need that information again.

I froze shiners and fatheads in Coke before going to lake Winnipeg and it worked really well for us. I took a gallon freezer bag and put about 2-3 dozen minnows in it, and filled the bag with just enough Coke to cover the minnows. They should all die in about a minute or so. Then, just Lay the bag flat on a piece of cardboard or baking sheet and spread the minnows out so that none are overlapping and put in the freezer. Pretty simple and worked great!

ajaikens31 wrote:

I froze shiners and fatheads in Coke before going

and if you run out of ice for your Jack just dip a few into your cup!

Eelpoutguy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>ajaikens31 wrote:</div>

I froze shiners and fatheads in Coke before going

and if you run out of ice for your Jack just dip a few into your cup!

Jameson, but that’s neither here nor there 😂

ajaikens31 wrote:

I froze shiners and fatheads in Coke before going to lake Winnipeg and it worked really well for us. I took a gallon freezer bag and put about 2-3 dozen minnows in it, and filled the bag with just enough Coke to cover the minnows. They should all die in about a minute or so. Then, just Lay the bag flat on a piece of cardboard or baking sheet and spread the minnows out so that none are overlapping and put in the freezer. Pretty simple and worked great!

Using Coke is something I have not heard of. Please enlighten me on the reason and benefits. Thanks (I’m serious, I really want to know.)

Coke works as well as salt, without drying and cracking out your fingers. Here on lake Winnipeg, probably 90 percent of anglers use frozen minnows. Use coarse picking salt, not ionized table salt. I layer them between pieces of newspaper in the minnow tub, using enough salt but not too much. Coke works great too, and it’s easy to break the minnows out of the coke slush.

Using Coke is something I have not heard of. Please enlighten me on the reason and benefits. Thanks (I’m serious, I really want to know.)
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Like Cameron said, it’s easier to break the minnows out of the coke because it doesn’t freeze as solid as water. It’s also just easier and less messy than dealing with salt, in my opinion. I’ve bought frozen and salted shiners up in Winnipeg and the coke minnows also stayed on the hook better.

If you bring live minnows into Canada they will pour Coke in it to instantly kill them.
Never thought of freezing minnows in it though, but I guess it makes total sense.

Thanks guys for the explanations. I learned something today.

Coke… So many uses…LOL.

Is this something that is still going on? Does Coke really work that well? Might try it this winter with how hard it was last winter to find bait.

I haven’t tried this but I plan to.

Pro-Cure Brine ‘N Bite Complete Bait Brine, 16-Ounce, Natural Shine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU5WWUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WVSV7PK6452VK8KP6635?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Did I hear no more frozen minnows into Canada?

Not from what i have heard.

I have changed from coarse salt, to pure potassium chloride. Has a better freeze point than salt. Get the undyed, 99.8 pure stuff. Got mine from Amazon.

Steve Hix wrote:

Did I hear no more frozen minnows into Canada?

Yes you are correct for ontario at least.

ajaikens31 wrote:

I froze shiners and fatheads in Coke before going to lake Winnipeg and it worked really well for us. I took a gallon freezer bag and put about 2-3 dozen minnows in it, and filled the bag with just enough Coke to cover the minnows. They should all die in about a minute or so. Then, just Lay the bag flat on a piece of cardboard or baking sheet and spread the minnows out so that none are overlapping and put in the freezer. Pretty simple and worked great!

how long will they keep frozen in the coke? Will they last a few months?

supercat wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Steve Hix wrote:</div>
Did I hear no more frozen minnows into Canada?

Yes you are correct for ontario at least.

I can go buy and use LIVE minnows right now lol (from Ontario).. Show me a link instead of starting rumours

Correct you can buy them in Canada. The question was can you bring them into Canada, which the answer is no and has been for as long as I know.

I can go buy and use LIVE minnows right now lol (from Ontario).. Show me a link instead of starting rumours
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I think a misunderstanding here what was meant that you can’t bring them into Ontario, Canada from the USA.

Here’s a link about bringing live, frozen or dried bait into Canada:

https://www.noto.ca/news/a-notice-from-cbsa-on-bait

Anyone know how well or how long they keep frozen in coke

Thanks Pat K.
Link, no rumours.