In the quiet town of Skiatook, Oklahoma, stands a home that perfectly embodies the intersection of passion and innovation.
Paul Phillips, a local contractor, transformed his frustration into inspiration when he created what might be the ultimate fisherman’s paradise – a home built directly over a pond with a trap door in the living room floor for fishing.
The Origin Story
Paul Phillips’ journey to creating his unique home began with a moment of frustration that many anglers can relate to. While fishing at Lake Oologah one day, Phillips was confronted by a landowner who abruptly kicked him off the property.
This unpleasant encounter sparked a determination in Phillips: “One of these days I’ll have a place of my own where nobody can tell me I can’t fish there,” he resolved.
This moment of defiance would eventually lead to one of the most innovative home designs in Oklahoma.
Rather than simply purchasing waterfront property or building near a fishing spot, Phillips took his vision several steps further.
He decided to create a home where fishing wasn’t just accessible – it would be integrated into the very structure of his daily living space.
The Construction Process
In 2015, Phillips set his ambitious plan into motion. He began by purchasing a suitable property in Skiatook and then took an unusual first step in home construction – he rented a bulldozer and dug a massive hole.
This excavation would eventually become his personal fishing pond.
After creating the depression for his future pond, Phillips poured substantial concrete footings designed to support his 1,850-square-foot home.
These foundations needed to be exceptionally sturdy, as they would bear the weight of a structure extending over water. The construction required careful planning and engineering to ensure the home would remain stable while positioned above the pond.
The wooden cabin-style home was built with a wrap-around deck that extends over the water on three sides, providing multiple outdoor fishing spots. The house features an open-plan kitchen and living room with a fireplace, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms – all the amenities of a comfortable modern home. From the exterior, it resembles a charming wooden cabin, giving little indication of its unique feature.
Once construction was complete, Phillips simply waited for Oklahoma’s rainfall to fill his man-made pond. Nature cooperated, and soon his vision of a personal fishing lake surrounding his home became reality.
The Secret Fishing Hole
What truly sets Phillips’ home apart is its most distinctive feature – a trap door built into the living room floor.
Near the television, an observant visitor might notice a small seam in the flooring. This isn’t a construction flaw but rather the edge of a secret panel measuring approximately 4×4 feet that can be lifted to reveal the pond below.
This ingenious design allows Phillips to fish directly from his living room – even from the comfort of his rocking chair or couch.
He can cast his line through the opening while watching television, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
The trap door effectively eliminates all the common barriers to fishing: bad weather, travel time, crowded fishing spots, and property restrictions.
The Complete Fishing Experience
Phillips didn’t just create a novelty – he developed a comprehensive fishing paradise. He stocked his pond with impressive fish, including substantial catfish that would provide a genuine angling challenge.
The photos displayed in his home show Phillips beaming with pride while holding impressive catches pulled directly from his personal pond.
Beyond the indoor fishing hole, the wrap-around deck provides additional fishing spots around the perimeter of his home.
This design ensures that Phillips and his guests can enjoy different fishing experiences – from the novelty of indoor fishing to more traditional deck fishing – all without leaving the property.
Community Reaction
Phillips’ innovative home quickly captured the attention and imagination of neighbors and visitors alike.
According to Phillips, “The lady next door, she just loves to fish, and this lady here, she can’t wait ’til spring to get here so she can hear the frogs a hollerin’.” His creation not only fulfilled his personal dream but also brought joy to the surrounding community.
Even the carpenters involved in the construction found the project uniquely engaging.
Randy Aschlerman, one of the carpenters who worked on the house, noted that while he had never built anything like it before, the project was “kind of fun.” The unusual design presented interesting challenges that made the construction process more engaging than typical home building.
As news of the unusual home spread, media outlets began featuring Phillips’ creation, bringing attention to his innovative approach to combining living space with his passion for fishing.
His home became a testament to thinking outside conventional architectural boundaries.
The Fishing Cabin Aesthetic
While Phillips’ home is unique in its design, it incorporates elements common to fishing cabins that enhance its charm and functionality. The interior features wooden details and cozy furniture that create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
This rustic aesthetic complements the home’s purpose as a fishing retreat.
Traditional fishing cabins often incorporate elements like an “Angler’s Entryway” with rustic decor and fishing-themed accents such as vintage rods and framed lures. These spaces typically include functional storage solutions for fishing gear and water-resistant materials to handle the dampness associated with the sport.
Phillips’ home likely incorporates similar practical features, adapted for his unique situation. The living room with its trap door serves as the ultimate “Fisherman’s Living Room,” combining comfort with direct access to fishing. The wrap-around deck functions as a “Trawler’s Terrace,” providing outdoor extension of the living space with weather-resistant features and excellent fishing access.
A Dream for Sale
After enjoying his innovative lake house for several years, Phillips eventually decided to put the property on the market. His goal wasn’t to abandon his concept but rather to expand it – he hoped to find a larger property where he could create an even bigger lake, potentially allowing for bigger fish.
In 2019, the house was listed for sale at $229,000 on Zillow. For potential buyers who shared Phillips’ passion for fishing, the home represented a rare opportunity to own a truly unique property designed specifically around the angling lifestyle.
Inspiring Other Dream Homes
Phillips’ creative approach to home design demonstrates how personal passions can fundamentally shape living spaces. Rather than simply decorating with fishing memorabilia or building near a fishing spot, he integrated the activity directly into the structure of his home.
This concept of passion-driven architecture can inspire others to think differently about their own dream homes. Whether it’s a music enthusiast creating a home with integrated performance spaces, a stargazer designing a home with observatory features, or a gardener building living spaces that blend seamlessly with cultivated landscapes, Phillips shows that homes can be more than just places to live – they can be extensions of our deepest interests.
The Broader Appeal of Fishing-Themed Homes
The popularity of Phillips’ home highlights a broader interest in fishing-themed living spaces. Many people are drawn to the peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle associated with fishing. This has led to various interpretations of fishing-inspired home design, from subtle themed decor to more immersive concepts like Phillips’ trap door.
Common elements in fishing-themed homes include:
- Natural materials like wood and stone that reflect the outdoor environment
- Color schemes inspired by water, sky, and natural landscapes
- Functional spaces for storing and maintaining fishing equipment
- Indoor-outdoor living areas that maximize connection to water features
- Displays for prized catches or vintage fishing equipment
- Durable, low-maintenance materials that can withstand exposure to water and outdoor elements
For those who may not want to go as far as building over a pond, incorporating elements like a “Bait and Tackle Kitchen” with fishing-themed hardware and displays of antique equipment can bring the fishing aesthetic indoors. Bathrooms can feature creative touches like towel racks made from old fishing rods or shower curtains depicting river scenes.
The Legacy of Innovation
Paul Phillips’ fishing home stands as a testament to human creativity and the lengths we’ll go to pursue our passions. By reimagining the relationship between living space and hobby, he created something truly unique that captured the imagination of people far beyond Skiatook, Oklahoma.
His innovation reminds us that homes can be more than standardized structures – they can be personalized expressions of our interests and solutions to our frustrations. Phillips didn’t just build a house; he created a conversation piece that challenges conventional thinking about home design and demonstrates how architecture can directly serve our passions.
As of 2025, Phillips’ creation continues to inspire those who hear about it, encouraging others to think creatively about their own living spaces and how they might better align with their lifestyles and interests. Whether or not one shares his passion for fishing, the ingenuity behind his home design represents the kind of creative problem-solving that pushes architecture and home design forward.
In a world of increasingly standardized housing, Paul Phillips’ fishing home stands as a refreshing reminder that our living spaces can be as unique as we are – and that sometimes, the most meaningful innovations come not from professional architects but from individuals with a clear vision and the determination to make it reality.