When fishing at the cottage, you are at Deep Creek and St. Clement Bay, a tributary of the Potomac River.
For fishing information, please visit Department of Natural Resources sites:
www.dnr.state.md.us
www.mddnr.chesapeake.bay.net/fish/state2.htm
Note: All anglers 16 years of age and older must purchase and possess a fishing license.
Anglers must purchase a Non-Tidal/Freshwater Fishing License, a Tidal/Bay Sport
Fishing License or a Recreational Crabbing License, according to their activity.
Licenses may be purchased online or by calling:
1-800-918-2870
How to Cook a Crab at the Colton's
We'll provide the tongs and the steaming pot...St. Clement's Bay will provide the crabs.
Step 1: Fill bottom section with about 1 1/2 inches of water and put on rear burner on HIGH to boil. Add one tablespoon of vinegar and seasoning to water. Some like to add about 1/2 cup beer - it's completely up to you.
Step 2: While the water is getting hot; take the middle section and top to the pier to get your crabs. This is the fun part! Pull the crab traps up on the pier (we have 2). Flip the orange clip off the top of crab trap so you can dump the crabs out of the crab trap into the middle section of crab cooking pot. Have the pot's top section close by in case the crabs try to escape. Empty both crab traps. Be sure to return the females (red on claws) or small crabs. THROW BACK ANY DEAD CRABS!
REMEMBER: Crab claws do hurt...the crabs are just trying to protecting themselves.
Step 3: Bring crabs to stove; place above steaming water and cook for 45 minutes. Turn the stove off and let sit the last 15 minutes. Put additional seasoning on top of the crabs as they cook. BE SURE TO OPEN THE WINDOW LOCATED OVER THE STOVE ABOUT AN INCH TO RELEASE STEAM. For another special treat, put a couple ears of corn on top of the steaming crabs (last 15 minutes).
Step 4: Take pot with crabs to picnic table ( be sure to put newspaper down/we will provide) - eat and enjoy. Keep them warm by only taking a few out at a time. There is bucket on the pier with a rope for the shells.
Step 5: Clean-up is easy as you just remove all shells (and corn cobs) and put them in the bucket. We will make sure that shells, etc., are disposed. Roll up the newspaper and place in black trashcan provided. Wash the crab pot in the water and itt will be ready for the next time. The gray trash can is to use for recycling of all cans and bottles.
