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Lake Hopatcong
The largest freshwater lake in New Jersey and its most popular all-round fishery.
Depth & Structure
New Jersey's largest freshwater lake (~2,700-2,800 acres): varied structure from rocky outcrops and slopes to milfoil-choked coves and underwater ridges; maximum depth about 50 ft, shallow southern / cove water 4-10 ft, deep points and drop-offs at 30-50 ft where walleye hold spring through fall.
Best Lures
Poppers and swimbaits in tucked-away coves for largemouth and smallmouth; jigs with leeches for deep walleye; topwater, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and wacky-rigged stick worms for summer bass shallow (2-12 ft), moving to points, channel edges and ledges at 12-30 ft midday.
Best Baits
Live shiners (including extra-large shiners) and live suckers / herring for muskies and hybrid stripers, live herring or shiners at night in summer/fall, and leeches on jigheads for walleye in deep water.
Gear to Bring
Medium spinning/baitcasting bass tackle, 8-14 lb class line; medium-heavy tackle with larger baits and live-bait rigs for muskies; jigging tackle for deep (35-50 ft) walleye.
Local Tips
['A strong summer thermocline is present — keep baits above the oxygen-rich 20-foot depth during summer.', 'Summer boat traffic is heavy; bass and the hybrid striper bite are best in the dark hours in summer and fall.']
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Related Water
Fish photos: largemouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · smallmouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · muskellunge — Wikimedia Commons · walleye — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.