I second SuperDave! straight on ice. I only take 5 out of the cooler at a time to clean the next day after they are firmed up. Warm livewell waters and also slow to chill down seems to make lake crappie mushy. If I'm keeping it goes in to cooler or I release. Easier to chill down one at a time. If too many in the box or adding too fast I add ice on top to melt and drip over the fish to speed their chill down.