Pawtuckaway Lake Association

Due to changes in the state's Boat Registration process the Mountain Road Trading Post will no longer be doing boat registrations.  The last time we checked, Wildlife Taxidermy & Sports at 2188 Candia Rd, Manchester (tel 603-625-9958)  was still doing boat registrations.. And, you can still register your boat at the State of NH DMV. We know alot of people wait until the last minute and run down to the Trading Post to register your boats. This year you'll need to plan ahead!

For all the eager volunteers signing up to protect our lake from exotic weed invasion, here is the latest training schedule for participating in the program. If you have any questions, you can contact Andrea Lawson, our Lake Host Program Coordinator by clicking here to send her an email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This months View From The Trading Post editorial focuses the upcoming boating and fishing season and big changes at the Trading Post!

Ice Almost Out and Our Kayaks IN!!

As the ice recedes and a small but growing band off water kisses the shore, Peggy and I launched out kayaks into the ‘cool’ waters of Lake Pawtuckaway. Yes, at 10:07 AM morning of the last day of March our yellow (hers) and red (mine) kayaks slide into the lake and we glided across the water toward the northern ice fields.  The day we awaited since November had arrived.  Our vessels danced along the outer edge of the ¾ inch thick remaining ice.  Yet, the ice still held remains the glory of the February Golf Tournament.  There prominently waiting the driver who will never come sit at least five white golf balls.

Once again, PLIA is looking for volunteers to take the LAKE HOST TRAINING offered by the Dept. of Environmental Services.  Let's keep exotic weeds from spoiling our lake. Even if you have a few extra hours to monitor boats at the boat launch, we urge you to take the training. We need the volunteer hours for our matching grant!  and, yes, we can even compensate for work done.

Not only do you help us Save the Lake from evil weeds, you will learn alot about the lake! I can see Parents and Grandparents volunteering and showing their kids how to do it. We're not asking for any committment. But, TAKE the FREE TRAINING !  Then, if you have some time, you can decide to participate more...or not.

Click here for a copy of Training Schedule for dates in Concord.  We are making great progress at Pawtuckaway. Your help REALLY DOES make a difference.

Wouldn't you like to be able to say "I saved Pawtuckaway Lake"? Well, now you have your chance. The spread of exotic species of lake weeds is ruining lakes all over New Hampshire. Over 50 Lakes in New Hampshire have already been infested. In shallow, nutrient rich lakes like Pawtuckaway Lake these weeds can spread in as little as one year. These weeds can grow up to 20 feet in length and mulitply until they fill the lake.

The NH Center for Freshwater Biology Research has published a new research paper providing an assessment of plankton populations, toxic cyanobacteria, and the potential impact of introduced marine alewife on Pawtuckaway Lake. Since the State of NH Department of Fish and Game has been stocking Pawtuckaway Lake with marine alewife, many residents have wondered what the impact would be on the lake ecology. This new research paper by  Jessica V. Trout-Haney, Department of Zoology, University of New Hampshire, Durham provides scientific evidence of a link between the alewife and toxic cyanobacteria blooms on the lake.

Time is running out. As required by New Hampshire’s Boater Education Law, effective January 1, 2002, no person 16 years of age or older, may operate a powerboat with an engine in excess of 25 horsepower (including electric powered motors) on the public Waters of New Hampshire without a valid safe boating education certificate. All boaters must be in compliance by January 1, 2008. Due dates for compliance are based on age and only the most senior boaters still have some time before the deadline is up. If you haven't taken the course yet, chances are you are running out of time before boating season starts up again.

To help Nottingham residents become certified, the PLIA is sponsoring a Boating Safety course. The course will be conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Safety and is open to anyone.