Tag: tips for lake homeowners

A Checklist for Closing up Your Lake Cabin for Winter

Posted on Staff

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Article written by LakeHomes.com intern Sarah Wright. Originally published on November 20, 2023.

Photo courtesy of NKAR Booking.

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, it’s approaching that period of the year when preparations are needed to ensure your lake home is sealed and well-maintained for during the off-season. Taking proactive steps can be a time- and cost-saving measure as winter approaches and temperatures drop. Lake property owners who plan to leave their homes unattended during the off-season, make sure to complete all the tasks on this checklist before securing your lake cabin for winter.

The Interior

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

For the inside of your lake home, there are a number of tasks to complete. Most are obvious, whereas some are often overlooked but are nevertheless crucial for ensuring your home’s safety during the off-season. Here is a list for your home’s interiors:

  • Turn off your water heater.
  • Throw away all perishables.
  • Unplug all of your appliances.
  • Check your fireplace—make sure there are no places where animals can find an entry or where cold air can enter.
  • Exposed pipes can become frozen; be sure to insulate pipes in unheated parts of the house and open cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • Set your thermostat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for both day and night.
  • Cover your furniture to prevent sun damage.
  • Make sure all windows and doors are completely closed.

The Exterior

Photo by Robin Jonathan Deutsch on Unsplash

To ensure your lake cabin’s exterior is primed and ready for the cold and harsh winter elements, make sure these important items are marked off your list.

  • Outdoor equipment and furniture should be brought indoors.
  • Mow the lawn on your last visit during the summertime; winterize the lawnmower.
  • Turn off the outside breakers.
  • Clean your gutters.
  • Seal any outside air leaks.
  • Prepare your exterior pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
  • Make sure no tree limbs are hanging over your house that could potentially fall and damage it.

For more information on prepping your property for the off-season, check out Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips’ tips for winterizing your lake home. 

Catch of the Day – Fish Recipes You Won’t Want to Miss

Posted on Staff

Your patio is prepped, your poles at the ready and the fish are fresh for feasting.

Please your family and lake home guests with these fish recipes you won’t want to miss!

Zesty Baked Catfish

Simple and delicious.

Fish recipe, plate of baked catfish and brussel sprouts
Courtesy of Taste of Home

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp. canola oil
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 2 catfish fillets (6 oz)
  • 1/2 tsp. dried tarragon
  • 1/2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • Baking pan
  • Basting brush
  • Fork/whisk

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Start by combining your oil and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, mix together your herbs and spices.

Next, brush your fillets with your lemon/oil base, and rub them down with your spice mixture. Be sure both sides of the fish are equally seasoned.

Place your prepared fillets in an un-greased baking pan and bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes.

You meal is ready when your fish is soft and flakey.

Garlic smashed brussel sprouts and a garden salad pair nicely with this dish.

Courtesy of: Taste of Home

Black Bass with Warm Rosemary-Olive Vinaigrette

Impress your guests with this indulgent 30-minute fish recipe.

Fish recipe; black bass fillets in skillet
Courtesy of bon appetit

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 black bass fillets (5 oz), skinned and lightly scored (scored meat features several shallow cuts to help with better flavor)
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cloves thinly sliced garlic
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. of black olives – oil-cure, pitted and coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 small (or 1/2 medium) head of radicchio — leaves torn in to 1 1/2 inch pieces (3 cups)
  • Large, non-stick skillet

Directions:

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. As this warms, prepare your fish with salt and pepper.

Cook your fillets with the skins down until they are crisp and golden. This should take about five minutes.

After the skin as been browned, flip your bass and add in your garlic, olives and rosemary leaves. Stir the the mixture occasionally to avoid burning.

After three or so minutes, your fillets should appear opaque.

Slowly add your orange juice to your meal, and swirl it around in the skillet to combine with the other ingredients.

Serve over your radicchio leaves, topped with your warm orange-spice vinaigrette.

Courtesy of: bon appetit

Mesquite-Grilled Margarita Pike

Fish recipe; mesquite-grilled pike with mango salsa
Courtesy of On the Lake

Ingredients:

  • 1 Northern pike (3-4 lbs.)
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Fresh lime juice
  • 1 “splash” of tequila (appx. 1/8 oz)
  • Garlic powder
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup, mesquite wood chips

Directions:

First, soak one cup of mesquite wood chips in water. 

While the wood chips soak, coat both sides of your pike fillets with olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. 

Flip your fillets to expose the fish’s rib cage. Sprinkle this side of your fish with the spices to taste, and drizzle them with your tequila. 

Set your meat aside to marinate for at least one hour before grilling. 

While the fillets marinate, fire up your grill, add in your wet mesquite chips and close the lid to smoke.

After marinating for an hour, place each filet on the grill, ribs facing down. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes before flipping.

Continue grilling the opposite side for an additional 2-3minutes before serving. 

For a little extra zing to your margarita pike, try topping it off with a homemade mango-tomato salsa!

Courtesy of: On the Lake

For more fishy goodness, test your taste buds on these “Fresh Fish Recipes You’ve Got to Try“!