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Author: nickersonlake

Nickerson Lake Chowder Recipe

Nickerson Lake Chowder Recipe


This is a recipe for a hearty chowder which is best cooked over an open fire in the outdoors, when ice fishing; OR on a wood fired cook stove.

The name is relative to where the chowder is made…it’s also been called Hay Lake Chowder, Chamberlain Chowder, Eagle Lake Chowder … It is a Christmas Eve staple at our house.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. bacon cut into bite sized pieces
  • 2 large onions, diced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 3 tbls. Worchester sauce
  • 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, (or more to taste)
  • 6 cups potatoes, diced to the size of the scallops
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 lbs. game fish fillet- trout or togue, (or haddock or cod)
  • 2 lbs. scallops
  • 2 lbs. shrimp
  • 2 lbs. lobster meat
  • 1 qt half and half
  • ½ cup cooking sherry

Use a heavy thick metal pot to reduce scorching on the bottom, large enough to hold about 2 gallons of chowder.

The first thing that goes into the pot after the pot is hot is the bacon; which has been cut into bite sized chunks.

Once the bacon is browned, throw in the onions and garlic and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Then add about 2 quarts of water and the potatoes, butter, “wash-your-sister” sauce, salt and pepper.

While this simmers until the potatoes are soft, fillet any fresh caught fish and set them aside until the potatoes are tender.

Then add the fish, scallops, shrimp, lobster and just enough water to cover.

If fresh fish happen to be scarce, substitute haddock or cod.

Then cook until the fish is done and meat flakes, 20 minutes or so, but not so long that the fish falls apart.

Just before the mixture starts to boil again, add the half and half and cooking sherry.

Taste for salt and pepper to see if just right.

Bring the temperature back to just before boiling and serve with oyster crackers.

This will feed 15-16 regular people or 10-12 ice fishermen. It is actually better when warmed up the second day. Of course the recipe can be cut in half… And cooked on the kitchen stove…

Written by Al Cowperthwaite on .

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You Can Help Protect Your Lake From Invasive Plants

You Can Help Protect Your Lake From Invasive Plants

| Brooke Hafford MacDonald

Hydrilla Monster: MDEP biologist Denise Blanchette emerges from a Hydrilla infested pond in Woolwich, Maine. Photo taken by MDEP biologist John McPhedran (used with permission).


Like each and every one of you, I know that northern Maine is an incredibly special place. The quiet waters, unique wildlife, and acres and acres of undeveloped forest provide the perfect backdrop for endless outdoor adventures. In addition to being a lover of wilderness, I am deeply connected to this area because it is where I grew up – no matter where I go, Aroostook County will always be “home”.

Having spent time on lakes and ponds throughout the state, it is clear that waters in The County do not have the same level of development pressure as our southern Maine counties. Because of this, it is easy to believe that their primitive character may never be in jeopardy. However, there is another threat, something much more “natural” looking and seemingly benign, that can cause irreparable harm to our beloved waters: aquatic invasive plants.

What is an invasive aquatic plant?

An invasive species is an aggressive, non-native species whose introduction is likely to cause environmental damage. Invasive aquatic plant species spread rapidly, displace native plant communities, diminish water quality, reduce fishing and water recreation opportunities, and are expensive to manage.

What kinds of plants are a problem for Maine?

Variable Leaf Milfoil is the most common invasive aquatic plant in Maine. Other species include Curly Leaf Pondweed, European Frog’s Bit, Brittle Waternymph, Hydrilla, and Eurasian Water Milfoil. All of these species are bad news for Maine’s lakes and ponds!

How do these plants enter new lakes?

Aquatic plants do not migrate; they invade new lakes by hitching a ride. As any boater can attest, it is quite common to find all sorts of vegetation on equipment – motor blades, boat bottoms, trailers, even fishing gear – after spending time on a lake. Equipment must be cleaned off from all vegetation and debris before moving to a new waterbody, or these invasive hitchhikers will devastate yet a new lake. Once established, these nuisance species are nearly impossible to eradicate, permanently altering the lakes we know and love. Even though most infestations have occurred in southern Maine lakes these species are moving further and further north. It would only take one tiny hitchhiker to start a devastating chain reaction.

What can I do to prevent aquatic invasive plants from entering my lake?

The good news about invasive species is that you can remove the risk of transport if you follow some simple guidelines. Before moving your boat between waterbodies, make sure to:

  • CLEAN off any mud, plants, and animals from boat, trailer, motor, and other equipment.
  • DRAIN all water from boat, boat engine, and other equipment.
  • DRY anything that has come into contact with the water. Drying your boat, trailer, and equipment in the sun for at least five days is recommended. (https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/invasives/index.html)

Please follow these rules even if you only use your boat in northern Maine lakes. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Pop Out Box:

Help Find Invasive Aquatic Species

The sooner new invasions of aquatic plants are identified, the faster the work to reduce their spread can start. Consider becoming trained as an Invasive Plant Patroller! This group of trained volunteers survey lake and pond shorelines in search of invasive aquatic plants. Lake Stewards of Maine runs training workshops each spring for new volunteers. To learn more, or to volunteer as an invasive plant patroller, visit www.lakestewardsofmaine.org.

Brooke Hafford MacDonald, Maine Lakes

About Maine Lakes
Maine Lakes is a non-profit membership organization that works to protect lakes and ponds, and their surrounding wildlife and habitat. They do that by supporting everyone who values and benefits from clean waters and healthy lakes in Maine, including lake residents and visitorslake associations, young people and lake community members. LakeSmart, their flagship program, is an education and reward program that helps lakefront homeowners manage landscapes in ways that protect water quality. To learn more, visit: https://www.lakes.me/

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Hiking Trails

Hiking Trails

 |  Ruba Haddad

There are so many beautiful trails to hike this summer. This map, created by Gary Hagan, shows the different trails you can hike. This can be a fun activity for you and your family/friends! I challenge you to take pictures of every station numbered on the trail and send it to me so we can add it to the trail map to help people find their way around 🙂 

Have a good hike!

Ruba 

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