Lake Hopatcong

Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey's largest lake: about nine miles long and 2,686 acres on the Sussex–Morris county line, formed when the Musconetcong River was dammed and two natural ponds joined. It has one of the most diverse fisheries in the state. Walleye, hybrid striped bass and muskellunge are stocked every year, trout are stocked each spring, and it is a designated Trophy Muskie Water. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, crappie and catfish round it out.

When to fish

• Winter: ice fishing has been a Hopatcong tradition for generations, for pickerel, yellow perch, crappie and walleye, with trophy muskies and hybrids caught through the ice too.
• Spring: the state stocks trout, and walleye fishing picks up in deep water. May and June are prime months for muskies, which hit plugs, big spinners and live bait.
• Summer: bass in the coves. A strong thermocline sets up, so keep baits above about 20 feet where there's oxygen.
• Summer and fall nights: the hybrid striped bass bite is at its best, and NJFW notes night walleye fishing is especially productive on a lake this busy by day.
• Late fall: walleye move shallow at dusk around creek inlets and points.

Where to fish

• Shallow south end: the areas near Hopatcong State Park, Landing and King Cove usually freeze first and are 4 to 10 feet deep; King Cove's inlets draw walleye in late fall.
• Great Cove (east side): shallow ice-fishing water in winter, and a spot to liveline for muskies.
• Nolan's Point and the Windlass: deeper water, around 30 feet, where walleye are jigged through the ice.
• River Styx (west side): steep drop-offs ringed with milfoil hold bluegill, perch, pickerel and largemouth.
• Bertrand's Island: a classic first stop for tip-ups, with pickerel, perch and crappie.
• Points and ridges: the lake's many points drop into deep water close to shore and act as travel routes for walleye.

How to fish it

Tip-ups are the standard for pickerel and perch through the ice, and jigging takes walleye in deep water. From spring into fall, try leeches on jigheads for walleye in 35 to 50 feet. For bass, work poppers and swimbaits into quiet coves away from boat traffic. Hybrids take live herring or shiners, especially at night, and for muskies, liveline suckers or herring or cast big plugs and spinners.

Getting there

The main public boat ramp is at Hopatcong State Park in Landing (260 Lakeside Blvd), with another at Lee's County Park and more at private marinas. The park charges a launch fee in spring and fall. The lake is open to unlimited-horsepower boats, so expect heavy traffic on summer weekends. In the state park you can fish from the shoreline and the Musconetcong River outlet, but not from the swimming beach or the launch dock. Hours vary by season, spring night fishing needs a Fishing Access Pass from the park office, and ice fishing is allowed during park hours when conditions permit. Lake Hopatcong has special muskie regulations; check the current Freshwater Fishing Digest.