keeping fish fresh

[spivak]

I'm just wondering what folks do to keep their walleyes in good shape. I've usually used a fish basket but I lost some fish out of a poorly closing bottom hatch. I don't have a live well. This year I'm taking a cooler and whacking the keepers on the head and putting them down on ice. I suppose this year, with its cool forecast, won't be a problem, but I don't keep many walleye during the year, except for the opener and a BWCA dinner or two, and want to keep them in the best shape possible. Any other suggestions?

[rocstar]

The cooler and ice method is the way to go. But you don't want to haul them around all day long.

[reinhard1]

if you dont have a livewell use a stringer. keep them alive as long as possible. it should be no problem in the cooler water and weather this weekend. when transporting fish in a cooler keep the ice in the bag instead of pouring it over the fish. i usualy freeze milk containers or 2 litter pop bottles filled with water and take them along for the day and if i do keep fish i put them in a plastic bag in that cooler and stop and get a bag of ice and throw it on top for the trip [keeping the ice in the bag]. dead fish and melted water is not a good combination. good luck.