On ice or in livewell?

[low277]

New to northern pike fishing, so I have a question. In general is it better to put your keepers in a livewell or on ice in a cooler?

Pros / Cons of either method?

Thanks

[reinhard1]

early and late in the season when the surface water is colder i keep the fish in the livewell. i have a cooler full of ice in the summer if i'm going to keep fish. then if i do catch some i put them in a plastic bag and cover them in ice. good luck.

[jentz]

I do it the same as reinhard1. I think this year the livewell is going out of busissness,I am wondering how the stops by the DNR is gioing to inspect livewells and how they will handle their inspections?? Guess I am a bit paranoid!!

[Shawn Kellett]

With the new ais reg's coming out you may be better off going with ice. This year I plan on using my livewell as an ice cooler for fish. The fish die either way and this way they're nice and cool for the fillet table.

[low277]

The stricter regulations on transporting water has me thinking I should modify the small live well on my old tyee (live well under drivers seat) to a insulated cooler with a drain.

In past years I have used the live well for different fish species, but if ice works as good or better I will convert. I see that on the coasts they seem to use ice for everything.

Thanks

[pikestabber]

I only use ice, year round. I also keep a small club in the boat. Once I decide to reduce a fish to possession, it gets a sharp rap on top of the head. No flopping means no bruising of the flesh. Fillets are firm and ready to rock once you get home.

[Gordie]

With the new ais reg's coming out you may be better off going with ice. This year I plan on using my livewell as an ice cooler for fish. The fish die either way and this way they're nice and cool for the fillet table.

This is what I have done but this year the live well will be no more as I would like to utilize the the space for mor room in the boat and now just plan on usinga cooler for the Keepers.

[live4chrome]

knock out, bleed out, then Ice them unless its early in the year. In that order. Good catching.