1.            FILL LIVEWELLS AT FIRST FISHING SPOT FROM OPEN LAKE AREA.

2.            TURN ON THE RECIRCULATING AERATORS IMMEDIATELY.

• Set pump switch(es) on manual for continuous operation, run all day.

           
3.            HANDLE WITH CARE

• Handle fish as little as possible, use knotless nylon or rubber landing nets.

• Do not allow fish to touch boat carpet, attempt to remove deep hooks carefully.

• Don’t keep fish out of water longer than you can hold your breath.

4.      ADD ICE & SALT

• Recirculate livewell water continuously rather than pumping in hot lake water.

• Monitor water level(s) after rough water runs and only add enough water to make up for overflow.

• Add ice when you first fill livewell.  Block ice melts more slowly and gives more even cooling.

•Leave it in the bag (don’t worry about chlorine).  Cool water no more than 8-10 degrees below laketemperature.  Check temp with a thermometer.

• 8-pounds cools 30 gallons 10 degrees for 2-3 hours.  Adjust amount according to livewell size (6-1/2 pounds for 20 gallons, 5 pounds for 15 gallons, etc.)

• Carry sufficient ice so that you can replace the melted blocks every 3 hours.

• Add non-iodized salt at 1/3 cup per five gallons of livewell capacity unless your boat has an Aqua-Innovations pure oxygen generating device.  In this case do not use salt or any other commercial livewell additive.

• Drain at least half of the livewell water at mid-day, refill with fresh water to flush ammonia then add more ice & salt.

5.      AT WEIGH-IN

• Keep fish in livewell with recirculating aerator running until you have a bag.

• Fill your bag with livewell water - not lake water.

• Dip fresh water from waiting line tanks into bag regularly.

A special thanks to Gene Gilliland, Oklahoma Fish & Game for providing theseguidelines.