New BRC rule would kill fishing on Lake Hopatcong

[Knee Deep Club]

Good morning all!

The Knee deep Club assures fishermen and women we are doing everything in our power to ensure fishing is exempt from the BRC's proposed regulation prohibiting anchoring within 200 feet of the Lake Hopatcong shoreline between May 15 and Sept. 15.

We are engaging the press, notifying key fishing clubs in the state and asking local legislators for their support.*

We intend to speak at the Jan 11 BRC meeting in Sea Bright at 10 a.m. at the Cecile F. Norton Community Center, 1167 Ocean Avenue.

We are considering further action if necessary.

At the same time, we ask those who fish the lake to also prove comment to the BRC and/or attend the meeting.

To comment, email*LPPMSB@gw.njsp.org.

Thanks!

Pat Robinson
Secretary/Membership Coordinator
Knee Deep Club

[Gerry Zagorski]

Shared this on our group facebook page too.

[FASTEDDIE29]

We definitely can't let this rule go into effect. The lake is all coves! With this rule the entire boating world would be anchored in the middle of the lake! So stupid! I certainly oppose this bundle of BS!!!!

[AndyS]

Thanx for posting !

[briansnat]

It's probably a reaction to the party boaters who anchor and spend all night drinking. Personally in over 40 years of freshwater fishing I can probaby count the times I anchored to fish on three hands.

Still, the rule is akin to killling a fly with a shotgun.

I remember in my college days learning that all we needed to do on the beach at the Jersey shore to keep the cops off our backs was to throw a surf rod or two in the water. The cops would pass us by and harrass the other teens drinking on the beach We really had no bait on our lines, the rods were for show.

I can see where an angler exception would ultimately allow the party crowd to throw a rod or two in the water and continue with their party.

I think a rule such as this is meant to cut down on the party crowd and isn't directed at serious anglers. I suspect that the cops on Hopatcong will be able to tell the difference between serious anglers and the party crowd and leave us alone.

I don't see it as killing fishing on Hopatcong.

[NJSquatch]

First come No Anchoring Zones next come No Fishing Zones!

If a few home owners can make this happen what will prevent a few others from trying to stop fishing around their docks etc etc.

[Chrisper4694]

This wouldn't personally affect my fishing habits much or at all, but it's more of a point that what will come next...no fishing zones cause people don't want you fishing near their dock?...slippery slope if you ask me...this has to be one of the dumbest laws I've ever seen proposed.

If the cops had the man power to enforce this crap (assuming it was passed) they could use that man power to nab all the people breaking the CURRENT boating rules...drunk boating, speeding after dark, etc.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

If the cops had the man power to enforce this crap (assuming it was passed) they could use that man power to nab all the people breaking the CURRENT boating rules...drunk boating, speeding after dark, etc.

agreed, there are already plenty of laws to enforce. adding more, poorly thought out, laws does not help when they aren't enforcing the ones they already have.

[NJSquatch]

This was posted on fb by the LHF


The foundation was contacted by Sgt. Chris Jones of the NJ State Police who serves as liaison to the Boating Regulation Commission. Sgt. Jones indicated he will be in attendance at the Lake Hopatcong Commission meeting on Monday, January 9th at 7pm Hopatcong State Park and respectfully requests that the public keep its comments on point, short and respectful

https://www.facebook.com/LakeHopatco...003730751630:0

[Knee Deep Club]

Folks: The latest on story on the BRC proposal.

Also, thanks for your support! Those in the lake area should drop in on the Lake Hopatcong Commission's meeting tomorrow night as well.

http://www.njherald.com/20170108/lak...ed-regulations