Lake Hopatcong

[bassnblues]

I'm considering getting a pontoon and keeping it in a slip in Lake Hopatcong next year.

It's been many years since I've fished there. Before Hybrids, Walleye and Muskie were stocked. It was a decent LMB/pickerel lake back then.

My question is, how good is the fishery throughout the season?

I've been pretty much a saltwater guy but due to mobility issues, boarding a boat is very hard. With a pontoon, I can rig up a ramp to board with a wheelchair. I've always had boats and miss it. I figure this could be a way to get out on my own.

[Skunk City]

Very good all year round fishery. Do a search in this section and you'll see good reports from January-December.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Definitely some tricks and learning curves when it comes to the Walleye and Hybrids. A good quality fish finder is a must. Doesn't have to be the cream of the crop but being able to read the thermocline and such in the summer is key. Right now the fish are all over the place. It truly is a phenom fishery once you figure it out. Hope you get a chance to get out there and enjoy the lake. It's definitely progressed since the Bass and Pickerel days. Let us know how you do. Good luck out there dude!

[jimmythegreek]

its a good fishery all year long, but it depends on when you can fish. I had a second boat I bought just to keep on the lake, but Im limited to weekends most of the time. After 2 years I couldnt take the wake boarders and skiers so I sold the boat, the lake is insane on the weekends. There are boarders and skiers out at the crack of dawn now, b4 u at least had until 10-11am to have some peace. weekdays are good still and the hybrid fishery is solid along w the walleyes and musky. Do yourself a favor and get an ulterra trolling motor, being u have limitations its the best way to fish w no need for anchors or anything, I love mine

[stinman101]

Im wicked interested in lake hopatcong as well. I'm going to check it out one of these days as its only like 30-45 mins away from me. I've heard great things about it, and depending if I like it enough I will be putting a boat on the water there as well.

Let me know how you like it!

[bassnblues]

Thanks for the input.

I realize it's a zoo on summer weekends. I understand there's water level issues in the summer also.

[NJSquatch]

I just got a slip this year and love it. Beats the heck out of trailering and dealing with the nonsense that goes on at the ramps with people not knowing what they are doing and such.

If you go to a marina be prepared to pay north of $1500 a season for a pontoon boat. If you need electric to charge TM batteries that will add another $50-$100 and you are limited to fewer marina options with dock power. Be sure to get your slip locked up in early winter. I went around in Mid-February and there were only a handful of slips left at each marina.

I know that some people will rent out their private docks but I don't think that is a good option if you need wheelchair access being most docks are on steep banks.

I am newer to the fishery and have found it to be very frustrating and rewarding at times, you have to put your time in. I really struggle to get bit sometimes. The lake has a lot of fishing pressure so you need to downsize and finesse fish appropriately. People have regular success using the herring from the lake that are sold at the bait shops. I am not a huge live bait guy though.

[NJSquatch]

Im wicked interested in lake hopatcong as well. I'm going to check it out one of these days as its only like 30-45 mins away from me. I've heard great things about it, and depending if I like it enough I will be putting a boat on the water there as well.

Let me know how you like it!

"Wicked" interested? Are you a Rhode Islander?

[bunker dunker]

the best fresh water fishery in the state once you learn her.she is big body of
water that needs time.

[Chrisper4694]

the best fresh water fishery in the state once you learn her.

I won't argue, but the boat traffic, fishing pressure, and lack of free shore access knock it down a few rungs in my opinion. Def worth learning though, a bit of almost everything in there!

[stinman101]

"Wicked" interested? Are you a Rhode Islander?

Lol I'm from Boston. My bad :/

[Bruce Litton]

Join Knee Deep Club & help keep the pressure on the state to keep stocking figures up to standard. The facts and figures suggest Hopatcong has the biggest walleye in the state, but stocking figures had slipped a little, although we got a good deal this year & need to keep fish in the lake in the future. Same goes for hybrids. These are great, healthy fish, but although walleye spawn or at least some attempt to, actual reproduction is close to zero in the lake. And of course hybrids don't spawn, but they sure grow up.