How to Build a Fishing Dock for a Pond

Small docks are ideal for ponds.

If you want to fish comfortably in your own pond, a dock is the easiest way to do so. It provides a stable surface where you will be able to sit down or stand and make your casts. This structure is also easy to build. It requires an afternoon or so of your time and will last for several fishing seasons. When the cold weather comes, you will be able to remove the dock very simply by hand. It will also provide temporary cover and an area for fish right near your home.

Things You'll Need

• Dock posts
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• T-square
• Treated deck joists 2-by-6 boards
• Treated deck boards
• Table saw
• Hammer
• 3-inch galvanized nails
• 2-inch galvanized nails

Instructions

1. Measure the depth of the pond two feet from the edge where you will install the dock. Use a tape measure to determine the water level. Add one foot to this measurement, to give you dock a clearance of one foot above the water.

2. Mark this distance on two deck posts with a pencil using a T-square to draw a straight line. Then cut with a table saw.

3. Build a square frame from weather-treated deck joists (2-by-6 boards). Make the frame at least two feet wide and four feet long for stability and usability. Anything smaller will be too difficult to use. Attach the deck joists at the ends using galvanized nails and a hammer.

4. Cut decking boards to the width of your frame with a table saw and install them across the top of the frame with a hammer and galvanized 2-inch nails.

5. Install the two deck posts on one side of the dock right at the corners. Mount them right to the deck joists with a hammer and 3-inch galvanized nails.

6. Install the dock in the water with the two deck posts facing towards the center of the pond and the back edge of the dock right along the shore. Level the dock by hand and have someone else measure the distance to the ground from the top on the backside of the dock with a tape measure.

7. Cut two more deck posts to this size and install them in the backside corners of the dock frame inside the joists using a hammer a 3-inch galvanized nails.

8. Install the deck in the pond again and ensure it is level and stable. If you have a soft bottom pond, install concrete flag stones under the deck posts as footings for your dock.

References

• Monsterguide Website: Building a Dock

Resources

• Canadianfishing Website: Building a Larger Floating Dock