creels

A creel is a wicker basket or frame used to carry or store fish, game, or other light cargo. Traditionally made from willow or other pliable woods, creels are often rectangular or rounded, with a carrying handle and a lid or perforated top to allow drainage. In angling and commercial fishing, a creel is used to hold the catch on shore or on a boat.

The term creel can also refer to the total quantity of fish taken in a single fishing trip, or to a collection of fish for a particular purpose, as in “a creel of trout.”

In textile manufacturing, a creel is a frame or rack that holds multiple yarn spools, cones, or bobbins and feeds thread into weaving or knitting machinery. Creels vary from small bench units to large industrial setups and may provide tensioning or unwinding functions.

Material variations include wicker, reed, willow, wood, plastic, or metal. The concept of a creel as a portable container has historical and ongoing importance in fishing cultures, markets, and craft communities.