Keep Bait Alive ALL Winter Long! (How to Minnow Tank Build DIY)

How to keep minnows and other bait fish alive for months at a time by building your own bait tank. There are a few critcal points to remember when keeping bait this way and those are water quality, aeration, filtration, and water temperature. Remember that in order for this set up to work the water has to be COLD! I recomend between 32*F and 40*F. If the water gets to warm you'll have to change some things up especially with the filter. If you have no other options except to keep your tank warm, look into biofilters on KZbin. Biofilters have beneficial bacteria in warmer temps that will help keep the water clean for the bait. I hope this video was informative for those trying to get into keeping their own bait fish alive. Also, Make sure to follow all rules and regulations in your state so you don't get in any trouble!
Maine Trout Whisperer's Filter Video:
• CHEST FREEZER BAIT TAN...

[@danielholtxxl4936]

I can't even imagine the look on my wife's face when I tell her I'm going to fill up the garage with 4 large minnow tanks!

[@sergiomartinez-iv3du]

😂😂 I feel you

[@MericaOutdoors]

Thanks for putting this out there brother. I was looking for a video on the exact type of setup you have and you did not disappoint. It seems to be a relatively easy way to raise minnows, vs some of the other setups ive seen. You've gained a subscriber.

[@YooooouKnowwwww]

great vid, I would recommend waiting at least 3 days to let the chlorine gas off for a big tank like that. Running the aerator and filter to keep the water moving around helps

[@kentan1904]

Dude! Your delivery is natural and smooth, have you ever considered doing narration and voice-overs? Love the information on the outdoors and what you do! Keep on keeping on!

[@livefreefishmore1008]

I appreciate the kindness!

[@wazup3333]

​@@livefreefishmore1008is it the same process if you wanted to keep sea mullet alive?( Saltwater)

[@TimChambers-s5y]

It's a good thought and kind of clever that it crosses your mind that the temperatures are so low and wonder if any beneficial bacteria survive and yes there are just as many and just as much bacteria that survive in those cold environments as they would in nature

[@ThatShinerGuy]

I have the opposite problem in Florida. I struggle with shiner loss in the summer time as air temps are in the 90s. I probably need to add a refrigeration system to my tank. I'm on city water, so I use a lot of finer shiner.

[@FishGuyJer]

Ick is what the white spots are called. Great video man

[@vcpitcher18]

Great vide! A lot of good information on how to store your bait. Looking forward to some ice fishing videos!

[@brianrobbins3499]

That’s the best setup that I’ve seen

[@mophy9794]

Bruh same

[@savannahhirano]

Great video, perfect storage solution. One thing I’ve noticed as someone who loves fishing as well as having aquariums(Mainly keeping crawfish, perch, bluegills, and shiners at the moment)... if you know the aquarium hobby it makes keeping baitfish a breeze. In my case I have emerald shiners with the plan to eventually breed them and give/sell to bait shops. I keep them at a constant 72 degrees and they’re great to watch all day long.

[@Scobieone111]

²2

[@GeorgiaTrappingandFishing]

Nice job!! This was the best video I have seen on setting up bait tanks 👍👍👍👏

[@livefreefishmore1008]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073]

👍AWESOME video. I have 2 of them1 for the fish I m raising for food & 1 for gold fish & creek minnows & chubs. & they are doing GREAT my NEXT task is a good worm bed to help feed the fish we eat for food.

[@nesiansides7133]

Bio-filter is on point 👍 Aquaponics use mesh filter media simulating BSA (biological surface area) as seen in aquatic ecosystems such as rocks, sand, plants and tree roots/logs. Beneficial bacteria will convert fecal matter potentially providing nutrients for aquatic plants ie watercress, tomatoes etc. (Freshwater finfish species of course) great info

[@rodneyjohnston6280]

I am a new customer I love your video gave me a lot of information thank you.

[@darkjester47able]

Highly recommend using polyfill pillow fluff you can buy it really cheap at Walmart and I've been using it in my aquarium filters for decades

[@Mike-cc2eu]

Fantastic video always have bait on hand just for myself and grandkids

[@hobomaninabox841]

It’s nice if you’ve got the space to have multiple tanks. You can make money off this especially if you play it right. I like your setup guy 👍

[@coalbear1]

The finer shiner is just salt and blue pond dye. You can make it for cheap. Buy you some pond dye and add it to aquarium salt and let it dry out or just add one gram of salt per gallon of water. Treat for Ick and parasites at the beginning of the season. I have kept suckers year round.

[@conlanbartley1636]

What kind of salt can you use? Finer shiner is expensive

[@jdoboy6835]

Sounds like YOU need to make a video? I'd love to see your setup,,,, especially if your able to keep suckers for a year. I dumpster dive/ recycle everything & anything. I use old 6" - 8" thick cushion foam for my bucket filter. Cut a deep hole out of the middle with a sharp fillet knife, to collect the waste. Just make sure you wash it out a couple of times first.

[@coalbear1]

I'm to old and ugly to make a video. I use aquarium salt or ice cream salt in a pinch. I avoid ice melting salt or road salt because of the oil containments. Anything you can use to hatch brine shrimp will work. Or at least I have no issues. I use rain water when at all possible too. Keeping them cold is the trick.

[@SallyBranche]

Finer Shiner neutralizes chlorine and chloramine, so it is not just salt and dye. You can use any plain, non-iodized salt to keep fish. Pickling salt is good because it is very fine grain and dissolves quickly. In an aquarium, I use a level tablespoon per 5 gallons of dechlorinated water.

[@carlhebert8955]

I use white half barrels, for summer and winter use. Much coolor.

[@johncammer3566]

Totally good information, no BS , I like that. Good job!

[@silvester0811]

Will these breed? What is needed to keep them spawning so you have thousands to continually stock a bass pond?

[@creativeexperience6388]

I use a few drops of liquid pond clear help keep my water clean

[@brooktrout8568]

I was thinking about keeping a bunch of bulk shiners and this video is gonna help a ton! Thanks!

[@mainetroutwhisperer]

Nice! I recommend getting some carbon/zeolite blend in mesh bags to toss in your filter if the water starts to get a little cloudy. Get em right at the pet store.

[@livefreefishmore1008]

Thanks for the tip. Great job on your set up!

[@russelr9340]

You’re right that is a timesaver and an awesome set up. Thank you for sharing. Fish on.😎

[@justinsaba7807]

Your filter system. I like it. Its similar to what I use for discus. I think if you use a crushed lava rock or a topfin bioballs, would hold beneficial bacteria so much better. Is all very cheap and last forever. That's my input. Very nice setup. I will try 55 gallon plastic barrel, because that's what I can get for free. Also how do you keep them cool in summer? Maybe a chiller for a reef aquarium? Do you feed them? I have a 1 acre pond 50 yards from my front door. Was thinking some that water would provide all the food may need. Awesome video! Very informative. A good template for my own setup. I live on my own private lake and I hate buying bait.

[@HAMBURGER-s1l]

Fantastic video....Keep rockin dude.

[@quartermax1341]

This is EXACTLY what I needed !!!

[@IRONMIKE772]

Great video. Great and to the point explanation. Really appreciate it. -Mike

[@Guerrerofishing]

Thanks for the information really helpful. Good luck fishing!

[@IndianaNature]

I don't have enough ice here to warrent that, but I hammer walleye from ice out into May. Might need a chiller for keeping them cool. I might have to buy an old chest freezer for that.

[@dahtank7269]

Hey! Great vid! Lots of info and had good shots. You have a real talent. Keep up the good work. I look forward to your next one.

[@zechmandeville3561]

From my hydroponic experience, water fall aeration is the most efficient.

[@Reisor_HoundHunting]

Super nice video man. I'm looking to try it out. I'm in east Texas so it maybe easier said than done

[@MrMikeb603]

Excellent video! very informative, you obviously know your stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@livefreefishmore1008]

Thanks for checking it out Mike!

[@cjfilenius1446]

Nice set up

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

The thing about the smaller air bubbles is it helps to break down solid matter like the fish feces. It’s the same principle used in an aerobic septic system. The aerator helps to break down the solid matter in the tanks before it skims over to pump tank where it is discharged through sprinklers

[@michellemarable3562]

Thanks for all the tips I’ll definitely use em. 😊👍🏻

[@MrDlahti8218]

Might have to grab some minnows in the morning - not sure...That was another great video - good job!

[@livefreefishmore1008]

Sounds good! Thanks for watching!

[@beebob1279]

What about using charcoal to absorb the nitrates that build up from the minnow metabolism?

[@tasaman]

I recommend you get some different bio medium. Those green pads likely have a treatment to prevent bacterial growth which is what you want. I know sponges do. I could be wrong about your specific pads though.

[@mp5kfisher241]

Seachem Matrix bio media.

[@michaelmorris7293]

Thanks for the great info! I'm setting up a garden pond and plan to put various minnows in it. I'd like to find red shiners for it but can't seem to find any around here. In any case, I plan to overwinter the fish in my basement and this setup is the perfect solution!

[@josephmcgee8450]

Good Job Merry Christmas

[@newnatureadventures]

Good stuff man. Thanks for the demo.

[@Mitchthatstoner]

The white stuff is ich n it’s super easy to fix w stuff from Walmart. N if u feed them and up the water temp w probably last a long time.

[@connellfarm315]

Great video. Nice filter.

[@KeikoBushnell]

Wow thank you for all this information❤

[@tylerlawrence6012]

Not bad thats a pretty cool set up 👌🏼 thanks man

[@gabbypeng930]

How would u feed them without overfeeding and under feeding?

[@christophergriffiths8704]

I'm looking at keeping more bait. I currently keep bluegills for catfishing. I'm having trouble finding a place to buy bait online. Could you tell me where you get your bait.

[@bigfootresearchersofthehud6796]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@mrew1995]

This really helped me out thanks

[@justicekluth7870]

Great info! But what do I feed them?

[@jeffkerr4249]

Excellent Video!

[@Gokywildcats11]

What about the breading cycle. Will they need it you combine male and female together. ??

[@radioraffa]

I know these fish are basically "dead fish walking" waiting their time to be bait. But for your filter set up I would be cautious about using stuff for a/c units. They may have some anti bacterial agent on it. If it doesn't that's good. Also could use lava rocks they hold beneficial bacteria well.

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073]

that's what I'm using in all my tanks, lava rock does the trick.

[@theadman6402]

put stones in the bottom.

[@ADRdaniel]

Your various nitrogen processing bacteria will take some extremely cold temperatures. When you buy liquid bacteria boosters for aquaruims suspended in organic polymers many brands recommend storing them in the fridge. Bacteria are very very adaptive they will survive some rough environments.

[@synaven6895]

Do you feed them? If so what kind of feed? Thank you and great video.

[@matthewbarr-o6c]

Great video. Thank you

[@gavinsmitty23]

Is it really worth it? Where do you get your minnows? I’m trying to justify the price of minnows compared to a bait store.

[@MuteGoat]

You said that those little ones were your small golden shiner, why did they all have a distinct black line on them? I'm asking because I'm trying to identify the species of shiner I bought from a local bait shop so I can raise them correctly.. Edit: I was also wondering what you feed your shiner? No one seems to mention it in their vids.. thanks

[@chilant]

Dude that was a great video

[@livefreefishmore1008]

Thanks!

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

Nice job on this video explaining your set up. I just started trying to keep minnows and possibly raising them later in. My starter idea is a 30 gal commercial fishing tote. I started with a flower pot fountain kit pump. It pulls water from the bottom and sprays into the air then falls back into the water. How long do you think I can keep them alive with my set up. I have air bubbles coming as well.

[@livefreefishmore1008]

I'm not sure about raising them, but you can keep minnows like this for months. I just changed this water for the first time since December last week. If the water warms up at all the minnows will need food because their metabolism will pick up. Hope it works!

[@rec1015]

Great video, what's the namebrand of the blue bubbler that you recomend?

[@tomcervenka7404]

Thank you!

[@ChristinaLeach-gc1gu]

So is the pump is placed in the water and pumped to the filter and water drained by holes in the bottom of the filter? If yes how or where do you hook up the stone bubbler? I missed something her can you help? Les

[@stevensharpe3182]

Might have missed I watched this video 5 times at least…what do you feed tropical fish flakes?

[@seanl4643]

How do you deal with hot temperatures? My garage gets 20 degrees in winter, but 90 degrees in the summer. Thanks for the help and the video!

[@Callsignsoggybisket]

I have a pool and am wondering if the filter material diatomaceous earth we use would work

[@dylanmanley6430]

Is this method just for storing or are these fish reproducing? If not what steps would need to be taken to breed them

[@kellybrian6495]

How do you prevent your water from freezing in the cold of winter?

[@Marcus_Federico]

Do they spawn/ reproduce if so how can you effectively make it happen?

[@alistairclark6814]

If you can get a dissolved oxygen meter or borrow one and you will find it doesn't take a lot of bubbling to saturate water. It would be cool to know oxygen consumption per volume of water over time at different temperatures with baitfish though....

[@maxjones4924]

I am getting ready to start my own setup for shiners and wanted to know what you use to feed the shiners and how often do you feed them figured I would ask since it was not mentioned in the video thanks

[@tatelawncare2718]

He said he doesn’t feed them if water is cold enough. But def a great question as I have it if the water is a bit warmer.

[@TrevorsCrabs]

Do you need to feed them?

[@jloden8873]

Great video

[@SammyRangel]

so you keep this in the shop during winter?

[@Marcus_Federico]

Hey awesome video I’m looking into getting into this it’s super cool and fun, I’m using a 75L container, how many small and medium shiners do you think can comfortably survive in it, I have probably two dozen in there right now with an areator and also how cold should my water be it is 9 degrees C right now

[@raybin6873]

Adding a charcoal filter in bottom of your filter bucket might be helpful...

[@radioraffa]

Charcoal will only take out any medications put in the water

[@tjstuts1706]

Does the well water in your tanks pass through your water softener?

[@PopPopJoe]

So how much of the finer shiner do you put in each tank??

[@Certified_outdoorsman]

Here’s a tip what I do I keep a crawfish in the tank to eat the dead ones

[@PolarisJD]

Great video!! Very informative and you presented the information well. I am trying to keep 100-200 med-lg sucker minnows alive for a couple months. Question - do I need to "purge" them? If so, what does purging consist of? What type of salt is needed to purge?

[@davidtannersr.1670]

What do you feed the minnows???

[@blazeinthesky130]

Good job

[@richardmatthys7133]

Does the bottom of the filter sit in the water ir above?

[@rodwinland6849]

Do you have a recommendation on the amount of minnows per gallon of water?

[@williamfrancis5815]

How do u keep them cool when your not in cool climate

[@dutchvanderlinde7073]

what type of net did you get because it looks bigger then the average aquarium net

[@eflowers8306]

If I were to keep and breed shiners for dehydrated cat treats, how would I go about humanely dispatching them? Without chemicals.

[@itszach6808]

Salt water

[@vaskasooo9469]

How do you keep shiners in the summer? If i bring home ones i didn't use. Since u need cold water.

[@barrysinclair2206]

No charcoal in your filter bucket?

[@conlanbartley1636]

What are you using for food?

[@jackthielman8528]

Hi quick question where do you get them do you trap them?

[@briangore-ov9rv]

Where do u get the mesh minnow cages in your big tanks to hold different sizes?

[@celestialstorm3462]

Would sand also work as a filter?

[@everettrinehart7909]

whats is the best feed for them

[@remievarias1347]

Awesome setup. Do you think this type of setup/system would be good for saltwater/brackish minnows? 5 doz max. 1.5”-3” max is their size. Thanks in advance!

[@wesleybickford9731]

I like the filter information!

[@daleboyd1]

What are the square nets submerged in the tanks? Where can I get them? Thank you.