The idea for a fish and game cleaning station sprang from pure necessity. Growing up, Dad said that if I wanted to bring home fish and game to eat, I needed to learn how to clean it, so he taught me. As we both grew older, cleaning the catch became primarily my job.

I used to dig a hole in the backyard to bury the parts we didn’t eat. I squatted over the hole to clean our catch on a simple cutting board. Sometimes, I used the top of an ice chest, but I still had to squat down or kneel. As I got older, kneeling got rougher on my knees.

The Idea for a Fish and Game Cleaning Station

I wanted something large, rugged and mobile that could handle a variety of cleaning jobs I could do from a very ergonomic standing position. I also wanted something mobile with access to water so I could wash the meat and not risk dropping it on the way to the kitchen.

I looked around at various stores and saw some good ideas, but none really fit all my needs. Therefore, I decided to fabricate exactly what I wanted. For the design, I borrowed ideas from several different cleaning tables I saw in stores and added my own unique touches to build a customized ergonomic cleaning station.

Getting Started with my Fish and Game Cleaning Station

First, the materials. For the basic construction, I used 2x4s and bought a cheap plastic sink. A person could save a little money by obtaining an old sink thrown out by someone else. For a backyard fish and game cleaning station, it doesn’t need to be new or fancy.

On one side, I added a big cutting board for fish. I attached a clamp to the board to hold slimy fish by the tail as I cut on them. On the other side, I put a stout chopping block for larger, tougher game. I use this when chopping off anything too big or too tough for a fillet knife.

For the sink, I built a box around it out of 2x4s. The sink free-floats in the table so I can lift it out and clean it as necessary. Then, I built the legs and beefed up the chopping board side. I added a couple 2x4s to the cutting board side so the board would fit.

The Difficult Part

The most difficult part of building a cleaning station is the plumbing. I couldn’t find anything specific to my needs, so I decided to make everything out of PVC pipe and flexible 3/4-inch rubber hose. The sink has a connection for a water hose, but it’s not permanently hooked up to running water. When I need water, I connect the garden hose to the sink and rinse everything off.

I allow the water to run directly through the hole at the bottom of the sink, but you could construct a simple drain system to move the rinse water where you want. I mounted a hook on the cutting board side to hang a waste bucket. I toss anything I don’t want into it for disposal later. You also could place a bucket or garbage can lined with a trash bag under the hole to catch all the scraps.

Lessons Learned

Overall, this cleaning station is a very solid piece of construction that weighs about 200 pounds. I’m a big guy and I can stand on one side of it without it tipping over.

To be able to easily move that weight, use a pair of large wheels, such as from a wheelbarrow or lawnmower, attached at the bottom of the legs on one side, and two caster-type wheels, which turn 360 degrees, on the other end. That way, you’re able to move the cleaning station around like an outdoor grill.

I learned my lesson about the wheels when I used four casters, which makes the cleaning station much more difficult to move around because the casters turn independently. I can place the cleaning station wherever I like in my new yard, hook it up to a garden house, and quickly be ready to stand up and clean game or fish. The entire project took about five hours to build.

If you have any questions about making your own home fish and game cleaning station, email Dan at danielfelsher@gmail.com.

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List of Building Materials for the Fish and Game Cleaning Station

• 1 sink (plastic is best) with faucet and spout
• 1 large cutting board 1/4-inch thick
• 2 large wheels and two casters
• 1 spring-loaded metal clamp
• 12 pressure-treated 2x4x8s
• 5 feet of 1-inch diameter PVC pipe
• 1 PVC adapter for a garden hose
• 1 can PVC glue
• 2 feet of 3/4-inch flexible rubber hose
• 1 tube clear silicone
• 1 threaded adapter for flexible hose
• 1 PVC adapter for flexible hose
• 3 conduit clamps
• 2 hose clamps (3/4-inch flexible hose)
• 5 pounds of 2.5-inch wood screws
• 1 pound of 1-inch wood screws

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Build a frame around the base of the sink out of 2x4s. Make sure not to build the frame too tight. The sink should be able to slide in and out of the frame easily.
2. Screw in two 2x4s, each 60 inches in length, to the front and back side of the sink frame. Attach a 2×4 to the sides, making a bigger frame.
3. Attach the legs of the station to each corner of the frame. (The length is up to the individual.) For stability, attach 2x4s to the inside of each leg, making braces. If desired, attach the casters or wheels.
4. On one side of the frame, attach the large cutting board. Use additional 2x4s as needed to ensure the cutting board fits correctly. Using 1-inch screws, secure each corner of the cutting board. Now, attach the metal clamp to the cutting board on the side closest to the sink. This will serve as a fish holder.
5. On the side opposite of the cutting board, attach 2x4s running width ways on the inside of the frame. After braces are complete, screw in 2x4s to the top the frame and braces. This serves as a chopping block.
6. Assemble the PVC fittings starting with the garden hose attachment. Glue the garden hose attachment to the end of the pipe. Measure out distance to under the sink. Cut the pipe and glue on PVC to flexible hose adapter. It might be necessary to secure pipe to frame or braces. If so, secure with conduit clamps.

Bore a hole in backside of the frame under where the water hookup is. Line threads of sink with Teflon tape and secure threaded to flexible hose adapter to sink. Measure out distance between two adapters and cut flexible hose to size. Line brass fittings with clear silicone, using care not to plug up the opening, and attach flexible hose to both pipe and sink. Let silicone and glue dry before running any water through the cleaning station.

Being the son of an outdoor writer, Daniel J. Felsher began hunting and fishing at a very early age and frequently accompanied me on many adventures. Always handy with tools, Daniel now serves on active duty with the U.S. Navy. – John N. Felsher

Read more about fish and game cleaning on iSportsmanUSA.