Has anyone had trouble keeping minnows alive?

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:42 am

I have had a number of people tell me about having minnows trapped that they were not able to keep alive for some reason. (muds included). I was very puzzled by this and was thinking perhaps the bread, conditions they were trapped in (last summer during dry spell, etc.). I am not close enough to see for myself at present and am curious if anyone has had similar observations? (BOQ area north to hwy 7)
Tight Lines
Don Stokes

BATMAN · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:56 pm

I can usually buy 4 or 5 dozen muds and last me the
season. I use a five gallon insulated bucket with an
aquarium filter and aerator. The minnows usually love
this setup.

I am experiencing the same problem as you. I have
purchased 4 dozen muds two seperate times where
80 percent of them die after 2 days.

Its seems unusual.

The minnows were purchase from different locations. Once
in Sydenham and once in Deserontol.

BATMAN

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:22 pm

Your experience sounds like what I and most people are used to. I will be interested in seeing whether springtime/early summer minnows are as vulnerable. If so...we may have an unusual problem.
Tight Lines
Don Stokes

The Tech · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:18 pm

That is very strange to hear, especially for mud minnows, those are the toughest minnows around. Very curious to why they are dying so quickly.

steve · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:46 am

are the bait shops buying them from the same bait wholesaler (could very well be another bait shop)

reason i'm asking is i used to work for a bait wholesale shop out of Hamilton, and lemme tell you, its all in how you handle your bait.

if the company had a rough couple weeks, and the bait they netted in that time were treated harshly, that could be a reason.

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:47 am

I am puzzled too Tech and would like to get more information but am simply too far away. I do hope that this was something where the conditions, are the culprit....
Tight Lines
Don Stokes

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:52 am

steve wrote:

are the bait shops buying them from the same bait wholesaler (could very well be another bait shop)

reason i'm asking is i used to work for a bait wholesale shop out of Hamilton, and lemme tell you, its all in how you handle your bait.

if the company had a rough couple weeks, and the bait they netted in that time were treated harshly, that could be a reason.

Hey Steve, would that shop you worked for be SteelCity Bait Shop, back in the days also known as Bills?

The Tech · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:53 am

That was me as guest there, forgot to login.

steve · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:51 pm

"Hey Steve, would that shop you worked for be SteelCity Bait Shop, back in the days also known as Bills?"

yes, yes it was.

its known as bills bait once again, but under different ownership.

Steve

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:15 pm

I understand the basics of how to ensure minnows remain in the best possible condition, with both the fellows that I am aware of having equal if not superior skills. I remain puzzled.... each is also puzzled......as traps had been set in for only a matter of hours (that is when one of them wondeered about the bread). Hmmmm.......they each used different watsersheds even...lol....strange and I am sure there is a logical answer.
Tight Lines
Don Stokes

BATMAN · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:40 pm

My wife keeps telling me white bread is bad
for me. She wants me to me to eat whole grain bread.

I wonder if minnows have to worry about their health?

BATMAN

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:40 pm

Based on the feedback I have observed thus far (I would like to see more....all of your/our experiences in BOQ matter), this is hopefully just a bad year, with poor conditions making them unusually fragile. That said...this sort of thing is a potential red flag......any bio's or tech insite would be welcome.

Curious about my beloved and tough muds.... (still makes me very mad to see anyone put/release any minnows in trout lakes)

Don Stokes

The Tech · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2004 11:56 pm

Hey Don, I am curious when this problem had first been introduced to you, or at least what you heard? I had bought some muds in November, they were quite lively, and lasted 3 days in the pale, and still rarin to go. I actually had 1 mud last 2 hours on my jig. We left camp and gave the local cats the rest of the minnows. So, I wasn't sure if this problem had been noticed in from December on, or has this problem existed in November as well?
FYI
Believe it or not, there was a guy selling goldens, in NOVEMBER!

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:07 am

Hi Tech
This was first brought to my attention June-August. My first responce was to trap in different conditions (it was hot therefore trap in cooler weather).

This was done (I have a very good rappore sp.? with the locals having grown up in BOQ and been quite involved with Fish and Wildlife there). It still occured (I could not be there so I have no record of temps, oxygen level, PH differential etc.).

White bread was apparently used in the trap and this was changed to rolled oats (harder to contain but it was a quick idea to learn, mutually observe). This partially worked....but still the muds were not as hardy (most apparently still "expired").

Trap times were changed and traps remaining in the water were also reduced with minimal if any impact. Both fellows are very priveate, therefore I do not disclose names without consent.

If I am able to be there in the spring or summer (I travel a lot, making it harder to get to BOQ now), I would like to actually see the conditions. (I know them, but need more up to date info.) This was simply trapping a few minnows for fishing and not commercially, with both people having substantial experience in handling minnows.

Nearby, I have some env. concerns, but given that they appear to be on the upper part of the watershed, I have discounted that. The substrate (I believe that is the correct term) is limestone (minor fractures). Both happened within 15miles north/east/west of Napanee.

I am aware of old factory sites (dairy), farms, etc. but other than the weather (bait retailers had a tough time too I bet)....I remain at a loss of a logical explanation.

Traping as not done in late fall, with spring being the next time less the one person chopping a hole in the ice (he has done this)

Just a curious angler that wants the best for BOQ....let most areas of Ontario
Don Stokes

baitman · **Posted:** Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:15 pm

I boy my minnows fron a guy in trenton [the only one] and his minnows stay alive a long time very good minnows

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Has anyone had trouble keeping minnows alive?

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