How to Build a Livewell With an Ice Chest

Store and transport live bait in an ice chest livewell.

When it comes to bait for fishing there are soft plastics, cranks, spinners and other lures from which to choose. Many of these artificial lures are productive and capable of catching fish. However, when it comes to bait for many anglers, only the natural live kind will do. To fish with live bait means keeping the bait alive until presented to a fish. A bait tank is typically the way to transport and store live bait. An ice chest makes a good live bait tank and allows you to customize the size to your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Ice chest (30-gallon or larger)
• Distilled water
• Clean cloth
• Live well aerator
• Bait fish

Instructions

1. Select an ice chest that is at least 30 gallons or larger. Choose a larger size if needed for the amount of bait you want to store. A 30-gallon ice chest is a good starting point.

2. Rinse the inside of the ice chest thoroughly with distilled water. Wipe the inside of the chest with a clean cloth and the distilled water to remove any film, debris or chemicals remaining from the manufacturing process.

3. Place the ice chest in a cool and shaded location. Select a spot that will be out of the way, yet provide good access for retrieving bait fish. Keep in mind the need for an outlet with the aerator and finding a place where small children cannot reach the chest.

4. Choose an aerator that will provide enough oxygen to the size tank you are making. Unpack the aerator and plug in the power cord. Place your finger over the inlet valve and check for suction. This will let you know that the aerator pump is pulling air and working properly.

5. Fill the ice chest with distilled water or water that is native to where the bait was obtained. Avoid using tap water because this will require tablets or drops to neutralize the chemicals in the water that could kill the bait.

6. Connect the inlet and outlet hoses to the appropriate valves. Place the aerator outlet into the water and the outlet hose on the outside of the chest. Allow the aerator to run for a couple of hours and monitor to make sure it is providing sufficient oxygen to the water.

7. Add minnows or other bait fish to the ice chest livewell. Monitor the condition of the fish for several days to determine if the livewell is correctly set up.

References

• Catfishing: Bait Tank