Abstract: The portable fish catcher comprises a fish trap of a type employing gill netting which is attached at top and bottom respectively to a pair of rings which may be oval, triangular, rectilinear, round, or other geometrical configuration. Additional steadiness of the catcher is provided by flexible lines interconnecting the two rings which lines are placed on the inside of the gill netting. The top ring has attached thereto a float so that when the catcher is placed in the water, the weight of the rings extends the catcher downwardly. Bait is suspended within the catcher by attachment to the tilt ring or to the float. The float attached to the top ring has means thereon for attaching a line so that the catcher may be retrieved. The weight of the rings causes the catcher to be extended to the full length of the interconnecting lines. When the catcher is not in use, it collapses to the height of the diameter of the two rings plus the float.