My current method of keeping fish is putting them on stringers while fishing (both stern and bow get one). If we aren't going to clean them for a while then attach the stringer to a long rope attached to shore and drop them out a ways (so turtles don't get them).

I may have found a new "gadget" to try. Let me know if you have used one of these:
Today's Tackle Icewell

I've read some reviews of people liking them for ice-fishing.

I like the idea. Right now we haul in a wire basket to keep the turtles at bay. And they do try to tear it up. I would like the icewell because it appears to be lighter and more compact that the wire basket, but I would think that the turtles could tear it up easily.

quote bstrege: "... I would like the icewell because it appears to be lighter and more compact that the wire basket, but I would think that the turtles could tear it up easily."

I agree. I think the only way it would work for that would be to take it out from shore and try to anchor it. I never have a problem with turtles away from shore.

Here is what I do and it works fine.

Make or buy a six to eight foot nylon cord stringer. Secure the first fish by pushing the spike through the thin tissue behind the fish's lower jaw bone. Then pass the spike through the metal ring at the other end of the stringer. For each successive fish strung, push the spike through the fish mouth as described above then slide it down the stringer until it is at least 12 inches above the first fish. Then tie a loose overhand knot in the stringer at the fishes jaw to hold it at that position. The fish stay lively since it is easier for them to breathe. They are not all bunched up and restricted. At camp, tie and extra 6 to 8 feet of cord on the stringer allowing the fish to swim away from shore. With room to swim, they can easily out maneuver any hungry turtle.

Never lost any fish to a turtle or other varmint.

I can see how Andy's method helps them swim around - I use a metal clip stringer which is heavier and makes them sink to the bottom...

One tip I would add is after going through the lower lip - also poke through the upper lip. Supposedly this helps keep their mouth closed while in the water and you are paddling/traveling - helps keep them alive longer.

I usually fish with one other person, so it's pretty easy. We release all the morning's fish. Then, when it's time for brunch, which is our fish meal, we go to a pike spot and one of us casts. If it's small enough, we attach that fish to a stringer and we're off to cook it!

We keep fish this way.

1) Fillet fish soon after catching them.
2) Rinse fillets well, pat dry, & place in clean gallon zip bag.
3) Place zip bag into canvas bag, close with rope & dunk it.
4) Place under seat on bottom of canoe.
5) Repeat dunking every hour or so.

Never had a problem with turtles using this method. Fish stays fresh until cooked.

quote bstrege: "I like the idea. Right now we haul in a wire basket to keep the turtles at bay. And they do try to tear it up. I would like the icewell because it appears to be lighter and more compact that the wire basket, but I would think that the turtles could tear it up easily."

This is what I use also, it works great .

quote old_salt: "We keep fish this way.


1) Fillet fish soon after catching them.
2) Rinse fillets well, pat dry, & place in clean gallon zip bag.
3) Place zip bag into canvas bag, close with rope & dunk it.
4) Place under seat on bottom of canoe.
5) Repeat dunking every hour or so.


Never had a problem with turtles using this method. Fish stays fresh until cooked."

Same here. Many times, the simplest method is also the most effective.

I used something similar the the icewell when surf fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. It was nice for that use but, I think the stringer methods work better for the BW.

If it is warm out we eat them as soon as possible. If it is a while until dinner time then we let 'em go. Last year to avoid the prospect of thick swarms of ravenous flies while cleaning fish, I cleaned them as we caught them, out mid-lake. Worked great.

I have never heard of people cleaning fish out in the middle of the lake. I would not want to stop fishing to clean fish. The canvas bag trick does work. Sounds good but don't you get blood and guts everywhere in the bottom of the canoe? And speaking of the guts... where do you put them?


That fish bag looks good for bass. Not sure about a few walleye in the bag.

Another good method to keep the fish fresh when you are out on the ice is to bring a small cooler about half full of water with you. Just toss the fish in as you catch them and close the lid, works great.

I have to admit that I usually do just throw them out on the ice after we catch them. This way when I get home I can lay them out to thaw and have a good excuse to take a nap for an hour :)

During the summer I keep the fish on a metal clip stringer. If the fish will not be cleaned for a little while when we get to camp I tie a length of utility cord to the stringer, then tie it up to a bush or tree so the fish can swim freely.

I have only lost one fish to another animal in the Boundary Waters, and it wasn't to a turtle. One time we stayed at a camp site that had a "barrel" of rocks built in the water right on shore. The water was about 2 feet deep there and we thought maybe people had used it to hold onto fish. It also had a piece of wood to cover the top up with. We caught a bass late in the evening at that site and decided to try and keep it in this "barrel" until breakfast. When we woke up the piece of wood was floating in the water on shore and the fish was gone. Still have no idea where it went off to.

quote Mattbrome: "...One time we stayed at a camp site that had a "barrel" of rocks built in the water right on shore ...We caught a bass late in the evening at that site and decided to try and keep it in this "barrel" until breakfast. When we woke up the piece of wood was floating in the water on shore and the fish was gone. Still have no idea where it went off to."

I've envisioned very intelligent otters building those rock cribs for unsuspecting anglers...

One year we woke up to an empty minnow bucket - the otters had cleaned out the one without a locking door (luckily our other bucket had a lock on it so we only lost half our minnows).

If I happen to be solo, which has usually been the case, I make a few more casts after catching the fish I have decided to eat and then I go and start preparing lunch or dinner. The main course is always fresh.