Steps for Building a Fishing Dock for a Pond

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There are certain steps to building a fishing dock. There is the process of determining what your lake or river bottom soil is like, what kind of dock you want to make and do you need to remove the dock before winter to prevent ice damage to your dock. The deck building steps and process require a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how much time you can dedicate each day or weekend.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Snorkel down to the bottom of the lake or river shores where you will be building or placing the dock. Inspect for rock beds, mud, sand or hard pack soils. Check the depth of the water where you will be building or placing the dock.

Step 2

Inspect the waters and shoreline, take note of the prevailing winds and how long the ice comes in on the water, if building in a four season environment. If building where winter brings in ice, consider building a floating dock that can be removed from the water each fall, preventing ice damage to the dock.

Step 3

Browse several building and marine stores for dock designs and plans. Find a dock plan that meets your desires and needs. Ask the marine or hardware store if they have kits for your dock choice, which can save you money by purchasing the needed materials in a bundle.

Step 4

Customize your dock into the fishing platform you desire by adding rod holders, bait boxes, night lights or bench seats. Design these options into the dock plans and acquire the extra materials from the fishing store or hardware store.

Step 5

Collect other materials as needed. If you are putting in a permanent structure dock, begin collecting or buying rocks to set the dock bed. If you are building a floating and removable dock, locate large chunks of Styrofoam for the floating material under the wooden dock structure.

Step 6

Check with your local land management agency or town office about building and zoning rules or laws. If a permit is needed, get the needed forms and begin the process as soon as you know you will be building.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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