Toledo water intake and west ( perch)

[Ted33]

Correct, they don't freeze solid and that's the reason they don't get mushy. If you freeze them in water they will freeze solid, and the expanding ice crystals ruin the flesh (ice expands - that's why ice floats). The vodka preserves them and yet keeps them from freezing solid. They maintain their texture and stay on the hook just fine.

The key is to soak them in the vodka overnight. The vodka displaces most of the water from the minnow. Drain them well before you bag and freeze them. Putting them in the freezer keeps them from rotting until the next perch season.