Although we are permitted to use live bait, (and I do), I never put them in the livewell. Too many gallons of water to try and catch a minnow. I use it to keep my catch fresh until it is time to go home. There have been times where I'll catch a nice Walleye early on and not get another one for the rest of the day. When It's time to go home, I can release it. When fishing for Salmon, I use it as a cooler. A couple gallons of ice in a gallon or two of water keeps my Salmon cold until I get my limit or decide to stop for the day.