A creel is a woven basket that fishermen use to carry their catch. Picture a sturdy wicker basket with a shoulder strap, designed to keep fish fresh and protected while you walk along a stream or lake. Traditional creels have a lid on top to prevent fish from jumping out, and their woven construction lets water drain away while air circulates around the fish.

Fishermen have used creels for centuries, particularly for fly fishing in rivers and streams. The basket hangs at your side, leaving both hands free to cast your line and reel in fish. When you catch a trout or salmon, you can slip it into the creel and keep fishing without needing to return to shore.

In Scotland and Ireland, fishermen also use larger creels (sometimes called lobster pots) to trap crustaceans on the ocean floor. These underwater creels work like cages: creatures crawl in through a funnel-shaped entrance to reach bait inside, but the design makes it difficult for them to find their way back out.

The word creel can also refer to a frame that holds spools of thread in textile factories, though you'll most often encounter it when talking about fishing.