how long to leave minnow traps?

[robbor]

I made 2 traps out of one gallon jugs and put them out this evening. Im wondering if it would be fine to leave them out for 2 days instead of one. The area they are in doesnt really have any minnows other than skeeter fish(gambustia) and they are in small numbers and disappearing with cold weather hitting.

[thudpucker]

Im curious about that too.
How long can they survive on the Bait you put in there?
I had a dozen minnows in my Live tank for almost two weeks. I fed them Gold Fish food every third day.
They probably dont eat that good in a lake though.

Is your Minnow trap up near the surface or did you sink it down to the bottom?
The reason I ask is my lake is very public and lots of traffic will bring at least one curious person that would pull the trap just to see what it is.

[8fishermen]

Im curious about that too.
How long can they survive on the Bait you put in there?
I had a dozen minnows in my Live tank for almost two weeks. I fed them Gold Fish food every third day.
They probably dont eat that good in a lake though.

I was once told by the "Minner Man" that when he catches them and prepares them for sale, he purges them by adding salt to their water. After this they are never fed again. They can survive for several days in the trap but the fresher the better I would think.

[robbor]

I put both of them shallow. One is in 6" of water and the other is in 12".
Im not expecting a trap full of minnows so im thinking waiting 2 days may be better. I put 1/2 slice of bread in each and a about a dozen fish pellets, should be more than enough food. The ponds have almost no fish in them. I figured i will try them deeper next time.