How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

[dhall95]

just wondering, bc most of my fishing trips take me 30-45 min to get home to my pond.. Im new to this so any info would be helpful... also my aretors do not spray from live well

 

[gonefishie]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

How long they stay alive depend on the temp and oxygen level in the livewell. I have had fish stayed alive for 6-7 hours in the livewell during tournament. Granted that the boat didn't leave the water but it shouldn't matter if it's summer time since the water being pump into the livewell is hot anyway. There is a product called Rejuvenate, it adds oxygen to the water. If you're worry about the water getting too hot, add some ice to the livewell. I never fish a summer tournament without Rejuvenate and ice on-board.

 

[rolmops]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

Carp will survive for a few days,but trout will die after only a short time

 

[bassboy1]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

I would estimate that about 1000 (probably more) fish are put into livewells weekly in tournaments in the summer on Allatoona (we have the most tournaments of most lakes in the area, and more tourney pressure than many lakes nationwide), with very small fatality rate. I would say well under 2 percent. I have never lost one, and most are still real active even after hours in there. Most tourneys go from safelight until 1 - 3 pm, so you 5 - 8 hours in the well for fish caught early on. With the a good recirc pump, we have no issue keeping them alive. On hot days, a frozen 2 liter will cool the well (don't want to put uncontained ice in there, as there is chlorine in the ice, which will be released when it is melted).

30 - 45 minutes, if you run your recirc pump, and keep the temp. down will be more than fine.

 

[ebry710]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

How long they stay alive depend on the temp and oxygen level in the livewell. I have had fish stayed alive for 6-7 hours in the livewell during tournament. Granted that the boat didn't leave the water but it shouldn't matter if it's summer time since the water being pump into the livewell is hot anyway. There is a product called Rejuvenate, it adds oxygen to the water. If you're worry about the water getting too hot, add some ice to the livewell. I never fish a summer tournament without Rejuvenate and ice on-board.

Bring the temperature down and aerate the live well then you should make it home. Also make sure you water is fresh before you leave the lake.

When you let the fish go, slowly bring the water back to pond temp to avoid shock to the fish.

 

[dhall95]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

thanks fe?llas very informative! can i get that rejuvenate at wal mart? if not where so?

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

Don't know where you hail from dhall95, but here in the Great Lakes area invasive species are becoming a real problem. Live well water is one of the main ways these devils get from one water body to another.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

thanks fe?llas very informative! can i get that rejuvenate at wal mart? if not where so?

Cabelas or Gander Mountain. BTW, I miss spelled it, Rejuvenade.

 

[dhall95]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

Don't know where you hail from dhall95, but here in the Great Lakes area invasive species are becoming a real problem. Live well water is one of the main ways these devils get from one water body to another.

i understand that fully, not much on introducing new fish were there not invited.. From eastern Ky by the way, nah just wantin to put a few bluegill in my pond for the bass mainly

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

Don't know where you hail from dhall95, but here in the Great Lakes area invasive species are becoming a real problem. Live well water is one of the main ways these devils get from one water body to another.

That, and I believe that VHS is going to be a real issue in the next decade.

My 2cents

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

.......also my aretors do not spray from live well

You should add an aerator, or (what I prefer) is one of the pumps that recirc water through a wide bar. The agitation of the water flowing in entrains air in the water.

I got to thinking- I don't know how long they can stay alive in a livewell I have had them in the livewell as much as 10 hours and never had one die....

 

[dhall95]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

You should add an aerator, or (what I prefer) is one of the pumps that recirc water through a wide bar. The agitation of the water flowing in entrains air in the water.

I got to thinking- I don't know how long they can stay alive in a livewell I have had them in the livewell as much as 10 hours and never had one die....

Yea i just used the aerators for about a min or 2 before i got out of the water, and was able to keep 4 crappie alive with a 1hr trip home, just have to see what happens with about 4 or 5 - 12" or better bass

 

[dhall95]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

Don't know where you hail from dhall95, but here in the Great Lakes area invasive species are becoming a real problem. Live well water is one of the main ways these devils get from one water body to another.

Hoping when we go on our cedar point trip to do some walleye, and smallmouth fishin on erie.. couple buddys said it is a great time.. of course practicing catch and release. wouldnt happen to know any walleye tips would ya?

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: How long can fish stay alive in a live well?

I've never been on Lake Erie. The guys I know who go troll underwater islands.
This time of year most guys are waitin in the rivers for them.

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psssst don't tell anybody but I hear after midnight is an "OK" time to try........