New BRC rule would kill fishing on Lake Hopatcong

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Charlie B

Just goes to show how fortunate we are to have the Knee Deep Club. I am sure they had some influence on this matter...Charlie

Consider joining if you are not a member.

The small annual membership fee helps to fight these type of things in addition to fish stocking , habitat improvement and other activities.

Your membership includes

• Newsletters
• Members Only Contest Eligibility
• Educational Seminars
• Discounts at local businesses, (Dows, Lakes End, Ramsey Outdoor, Boat US, and Jefferson House). I know easily recoup my membership fee between Dows and Ramsey.

Monthly Membership Meetings every 2nd Friday from March thru October at 8pm
at the Hopatcong Civic Center, Lakeside Blvd., Hopatcong,N.J.

Website
http://www.kneedeepclub.org/

Membership Information
http://www.kneedeepclub.org/membership.pdf

[Charlie B]

Yes the club does a lot of good for the lake. And the big benefits to you are the discounts and the info you can get at the meetings that the general public does not get...Charlie

[NJSquatch]

This article sheds some light on the story behind the story....

A handful of the 1%, in the name of "safety", lobbied (read made campaign contributions) officials to essentially make a portion of a publicly owned asset their own. Rather than engage all stakeholders the BRC worked exclusively with the small group of elite and tried to sneak this through over the winter while many businesses and property owners are away from the area.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/new...says/96200120/

The 200' No Anchoring Zone represents an area of 864 acres or 1/3 of the lake!!!

While many of us do not anchor this regulation will create a major safety issue for all fisherman. With anchored boats being 200' off the shoreline and clogging up the middle of the lake boats under power will be running in the no anchor zone where we will likely be fishing. With boats being allowed to be at at full speed 100' from the shoreline this area will be very unsafe.

Here are some maps that depict the congestion this will create.

No Anchoring Zone Map PDF (4 mb)

Google Map

If you haven't already please consider writing the BRC. They are still taking comments until February 3, 2017. Just because they tabled it at the last meeting doesn't mean it is dead.

Please direct all comments to:

Edward Harrison, Jr., Boating Regulation Commission
Division of State Police
c/o Marine Services Bureau
PO Box 7068
West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068

LPPMSB@gw.njsp.org

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by 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

http://newjersey.news12.com/news/sta...954?pts=608325