How to Properly Freeze Minnows for Ice Fishing

Tired of wasting unused live bait after an outing? Frustrated with mushy, thawed-out frozen minnows? Then you've come to the right place! For more ice fishing tips and tricks check out my blog: gcholkanfishing.blogspot.com/s...

[@user-mh5yh6iy2t]

Works like a charm !

[@chrisfromontariocanada7978]

Can I use minnows at oxtongue lake in Algonquin?

[@gregcholkan]

It's outside of the park so it's not subject to the same live bait restrictions: www.ontario.ca/page/fisheries-management-zone-15-fmz-15

[@dowermark2]

What does the pickling salt do?

[@gregcholkan]

I can't give an exact scientific answer for why pickling salt should be used over regular salt. I do know that pickling salt does not have any additives (which may make a difference when pickling food, but not sure this is relevant for freezing minnows). I also know that picking salt is a fine grain salt, which means it will dissolve faster. So with regular salt the overall process, particularly the part where the minnows are in the brine, might take longer. Additionally, it's possible that pickling salt will be more readily absorbed by the minnows due to its fine grain. In more general terms, using salt helps to firm and tighten the scales of the minnow - i.e. prevents the minnows from becoming mushy. Some may also say that the salt works as an attractant or stimulant, but I'm not so sure about that. For example, in Keith Jones' book "Knowing Bass", he writes: "While sensitive to sodium chloride, bass find it appealing at best." I'm not sure whether the same applies for the species people typically target in the winter. Hope this helps.

[@Intimidator82]

Using this process, does it keep the minnows from getting mushy when you thaw them out. Or is that more dependant on the type of minnow used?

[@gregcholkan]

Yes, I've found that it keeps them from getting mushy