Wanting to purchase a minnow/live bait bucket with aerator and there are so many to choose from. I want a durable bucket, so probably opt-out of the soft sided collapsable type, unless someone has had good experience with them. Some take AA batteries, others take D cell, some are rechargeable and I like that idea, but what happens when they go dead on a lake or when shore fishing. Can I just pop in some regular batteries, or are the rechargeable type "hardwired" to the pump and I would be dead on the water until I get to a power source. I do not have a boat. Yet. I would like to keep it under $100, preferably under 75-80. Any input, suggestions, experiences or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks and tight lines.

If I'm heading out with minnows - this is what I have. Fits a standard 5 gallon pail. Battery powered, will run the aerator for 6-8 hours at least.

Hmmm, interesting option. Never thought of that. Good idea, and less expensive. Thanks. Do you add ice once in a while, or do you have an insulated bucket?

Keep it in the shade as much as possible....otherwise a few cubes of ice every now and then.

much appreciated

A friend of mine that does a lot of crappie guiding uses a 5 gallon Igloo water jug with one of those Frabill portable aerators rigged up through a hole in the side. Keeps them in good shape in the heat.

Engel seems to be the popular brand here.  A lot of ice anglers use it here in the winter.

 

As for summer time, it's going to be very difficult to keep minnows alive in this heat.  They do much better when the water is 60 degrees or lower.

 

https://engelcoolers.com/collections/live-bait-coolers?srsltid=AfmBOooJ76keL-qcqXggrG981Id3I0Q006XPpDBJgTOjBZC9DvwPGAwL

 

 

Put something in the bucket the minnows can use for cover.

 

That helps as much...if not more...than having an aerator in there.

 

I know it's hard to believe..but it's true.

 

And keep a lid on the bucket too.

You get a surprising amount of insulation if you use two buckets, stacked. The better they fit together, the better. And then keep the lid on.

I have a Frabill that uses “D” batteries. Works great for how we use it. I only use mine for trout minnows. Once to the creek we transfer them to 2 1/2 qt. Galvanized wade containers. Keeps my minnows alive and healthy. It’s insulated. 
I don’t fish live bait for bass. I’m not sure how well it would hold up in 90-100 temps. 

That's a great idea!

On 8/15/2025 at 5:22 PM, gim said:

Engel seems to be the popular brand here.  A lot of ice anglers use it here in the winter.

 

As for summer time, it's going to be very difficult to keep minnows alive in this heat.  They do much better when the water is 60 degrees or lower.

 

https://engelcoolers.com/collections/live-bait-coolers?srsltid=AfmBOooJ76keL-qcqXggrG981Id3I0Q006XPpDBJgTOjBZC9DvwPGAwL

 

 

I am beginning to learn that minnows don't do well in the heat. Thanks

On 8/15/2025 at 7:09 PM, VolFan said:

You get a surprising amount of insulation if you use two buckets, stacked. The better they fit together, the better. And then keep the lid on.

 

On 8/15/2025 at 7:09 PM, VolFan said:

You get a surprising amount of insulation if you use two buckets, stacked. The better they fit together, the better. And then keep the lid on.

another interesting idea.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. Seems like cold water and providing some cover will help. 

I throw a lot of live bait away, perhaps don't use live bait in summer is also a solution. 

2 hours ago, Mapper said:

I throw a lot of live bait away, perhaps don't use live bait in summer is also a solution. 

Minnows, specifically, do much better in colder water. 40-60 degrees is ideal.

 

60-70 degrees, a leech or night crawler would be a better option. Above 70 I would solely use artificial lures.

 

I used to work in a bait shop many years ago and we sold a lot of live bait to walleye anglers. They generally followed the temp guidelines I listed above. Every once in a while someone would buy minnows in the heat of summer and half of them were dead by the time they got to the lake.

Ice and an aerator and a small bucket and a drill should have you keeping minnows alive!

That's what I am finding in the summertime. Losing a lot of live bait. I have plenty of artificial bait.

 

A drill? Am I missing something?

 

Thanks all and tight lines. 

In the summer I tie a rope to the handle and drop them in the water , under shade if possible. Or fish at night. 

On 8/15/2025 at 6:22 PM, gim said:

Engel seems to be the popular brand here.  A lot of ice anglers use it here in the winter.

 

As for summer time, it's going to be very difficult to keep minnows alive in this heat.  They do much better when the water is 60 degrees or lower.

 

https://engelcoolers.com/collections/live-bait-coolers?srsltid=AfmBOooJ76keL-qcqXggrG981Id3I0Q006XPpDBJgTOjBZC9DvwPGAwL

 

 

I have had an Engel bait box/cooler for many years. It has served me well. 

Thanks for your input. Those Engels seem to set the standards.