Went bank fishing this afternoon with a fellow TFF'er and brought home a decent sized cat. Unfortunately, I didn't put ice in my cooler, so the fish just sat in it, all alone, for probably an hour or so before I could put it on ice.

Not a huge fan of pithing or decapitation, I decided I would go ahead and ice him (he was still very much alive). He's been buried under the ice for about an hour and a half now. Think he's dead yet? LOL

For those that may think this is a stupid question - This is my first catfish keeper EVER! I knew they were tough and could survive out of water, but I'm not sure how long they can survive on ice. I'm still learnin' how to be a Texas boy!

ice would have killed him quickly.

and keep it fresh for few hours easily.

No, probably not dead, just a little sluggish. I've had em last for several hours on the boat iced completely down....Thats gonna be some good eatin

We keep whole fish iced down for at least 3 days before cleaning with no problems. This is actually the best way to clean a fish I've found. By icing down a live fish it allows them to die super slow and the blood will go from the meat to the internal organs last which elimates the need to "bleed out" the fish.
If you'll clean the fish tommorrw night you' have two super nice fillets!

they last long on ice they are die hard lol

they're easier to clean too cause they are a little stiff

I've seen bullheads go 24 hours on ice and still be alive.

You must mean just putting some ice in the water ???If i put them on 20 lbs of ice and they die quickly.

I buried him under 20 lbs of ice (not ice water). Checked this morning before work. Rigor mortis appeared to have set in (fins were stiff and as hard as a rock), but there was still a little movement from the gill plates. That was 12 hours after being on ice. I replaced the ice this morning and will be heading home to filet him up shortly!

They die pretty quick if you filet them and THEN put them on ice.

A couple of months ago, me and a buddy were fishing the bank on Rowlett Creek. We fished for a good while and just threw our fish on the grass behind us. When I got home and went to fillet the fish, every single one of them were still alive. Some of those fish were out of water for about 5 hours.

even quicker in grease