Most creels are made in the traditional 'D' shape, but some box shape creels are still used. The bases of the creels for crab and lobster are made from longitudinal parallel steel bars whereas the light creels used for Nephrops usually have a netting base.

The entrances to the creel may be designed with what is known as a 'hard' or 'soft' eye. A 'hard' eye creel has the apex of the entrance funnel held open with a plastic ring attached to the netting, held in place by twine strops. The 'soft' eye has an entrance entirely made from netting. The two types of eye are used for different shellfish. The hard eye allows easier access, but also affords an easier escape route for langoustines and velvet crab, and creels are usually hauled each day. The soft eye is more commonly used for lobster and brown crab.

To facilitate the removal of shellfish and re-baiting, a hinged door is attached at one end of the creel, held closed by a length of rubber and a hook arrangement. A bait strop for holding the bait away from the walls of the creel is affixed from the top bar to the base. For protection on the seabed, particularly on lobster creels, rope or strips of old car tyre are woven around the base and up the sides, to prevent damage to the steel frame and netting.