Operating Livewells

[nebrwalleye]

Seems like kind of an elementary post, but I'd like to know what the best way to operating your livewells would be. My boat does not have the high speed water pickups. I usually put plenty of water in the livewell and then shut off the intake and only run the recirculation. I think some folks have the intake on at all times - it looks as though their livewell is completely full and water is still coming in. I've tried this and water gets in my hull (or at least when using the front livewell). Let me know what you do.
Thanks!

[walfshmn]

I fill the livewell and then leave it on intake all the time while fishing to have fresh water all the time. Mine is on a timer so I set it to run for about three minutes every 5 minutes or so. If I move to a different spot and it will take more than 5 minutes to get there then I will put it on recirc. until I get to the new spot.

[duckbutter]

I have found that water temperature dictates how much circulation and fresh water is needed. When the water is cold in the spring and fall, I never have to add fresh water. I use the circulator switch with the timer--I think it runs every three minutes or so. In the summer, when the water gets warm, it is very difficult to keep shiners alive. When the water temperature gets to 75 degrees or warmer, they need much more oxygen, and fresh water or an oxygenator is almost a must. I have also learned to only keep as many minnows as I think I will need in the baitwells in the summer--fewer minnows, fewer problems. Good luck!!!

[ebijack]

livewells have an overflow fitting usually 2 to 3 inches below the top of the livewell. like mentioned in above posts, run your pump as needed. to keep your fish in the liveliest condition while running, plug the overflow ( spare boat drain plug usually works fine) and fill the livewell to overflow condition BEFORE blasting off. you loose alot of water with the bow higher towards the sky then when just fishing. and a completely filled livewell keeps the fish from banging around in the livewell big time. i do this even with a highspeed pickup. yes i get overflow into the boat and into the bilge but i also fish in the rain/snow and my boat usually gets wet one way or another.