How to Make a Minnow Box

If you want quick, economically-friendly, live fishing bait, try minnows. To catch and store minnows, you need a minnow box. You can spend money on a pre-made box or you can construct one from some lumber and aluminum mesh. This afternoon activity leads to numerous days of catching your own live bait. This is also a good activity to do with children if you are teaching them ropes of fishing world.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety goggles
  • 2-by-8-by-96-inch lumber
  • 2-by-2-by-9-inch lumber
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Handsaw, miter saw or circular saw
  • 3-inch coated deck screws
  • Screwdriver or drill with screwdriver bit
  • 1/4-by-12-by-24-inch aluminum hardware mesh
  • Staple gun and staples
  • 3/4-by-12-by-12-inch wood panel
  • 2 hinges
  • Eye hook
  • Locking hook and eye set
  • Rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on a pair of safety goggles.

    • 2

      Position a 2-by-8-by-96-inch piece of lumber on a flat surface or saw horses. Measure two 2-foot lengths on the board and mark each with a pencil. Also measure two 9-inch lengths on the boards. It is good practice to measure at least twice before you cut. Use a handsaw, miter saw or circular saw to cut these lengths.

    • 3

      Measure, mark and cut a length of lumber 2-by-2-by-9 inches.

    • 4

      Construct a rectangle box with these boards. The two 2-foot sections should be parallel to each other, and the two 9-inch sections should finish off the rectangle. The longer pieces should overlap the ends of the shorter boards. Secure the ends in place with at least three 3-inch coated deck screws per corner.

    • 5

      Make a mark at 4 1/2 inches on both of the 9-inch sides. Place the 2-by-2-by-9-inch section inside the box at those marks and secure them in place with screws.

    • 6

      Measure and mark a 12-by-24-inch panel of aluminum 1/4-inch hardware mesh. Cut the mesh with a saw. Position this mesh over the top of the box you constructed, and secure it in place with a staple gun.

    • 7

      Measure, mark and cut a wood panel 3/4-by-12-by-12 inches. Use 3/4-inch screws to attach two hinges to the edge of one of the sides of this panel; one hinge should sit 3 inches from each end of that side. The hinge should sit flush with the edge of the panel. Attach the other side of the hinges to the middle wood section you connected in Step 4. If done correctly, the panel is a lid that opens and shuts.

    • 8

      Screw an eye hook in the middle of the middle wood piece, until just the eye part sticks out.

    • 9

      Secure a locking hook on the opposite end of the lid, in the middle of the edge. Use a pencil to mark where the hook is positioned and screw in a locking eye. At this stage, you should be able to hook and unhook the lid.

    • 10

      Cut a section of rope 72 inches long. Tie this rope into the eye hook in the middle of the box.