a little help from me friends

**chardonsdad** · 02-15-2015, 12:49 PM

I have six fish on ice in my sealed Engle minnow bucket. I was wondering how long can I keep them there before they spoil. I was hoping for a day or two before I have to clean them.
"Thanks" for any and all advice except from BRM. lol

**shawnh** · 02-15-2015, 01:00 PM

Easy two days. I almost never clean fish on the first day. I would say if on ice three days.

**D10** · 02-15-2015, 01:16 PM

Fish flesh will start to get a little mushy after a couple of days. It there are kept on ice with little to no water in the cooler, they will be fine a little longer.

**Cray** · 02-15-2015, 01:43 PM

Sit them outside and open the lid. They should be good for awhile cold as it is. Being serious I keep mine a couple of days in weather like this. Like D10 said no water. I usually but frozen bottles of water in with mine.

**hawgdog** · 02-15-2015, 01:50 PM

I agree...the key is to keep the water drained. I have kept fish up to 4 days before cleaning with no problems or mushy fish

**RCC** · 02-15-2015, 06:14 PM

Just bring them over. I'll clean them for you. It won't take 5 minutes unless they are the size of jaws.

**Crappie Greg** · 02-15-2015, 06:23 PM

if its 40 degree or colder i just put in ice chest with no ice , will be good for few days with lid cracked open , sitting in water is what makes em get mushy after a few days, on ice is fine as long as u keep water drained