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Lake Hopatcong

Lake fishing  New Jersey · 06:33 - 16:51

Lake Hopatcong is a lake in New Jersey. Anglers here fish mainly for Walleye, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.

Prime 74% The bite right now
Top bet: Walleye Active through the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
85%
64°
Best day
Fri
83%
70°
Sat
85%
62°
Sun
85%
54°
Mon
76%
54°
Tue
76%
57°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
54°F
Air temp
53°F
Wind
7 mph
Pressure
30.17 inHg → stable
Clouds
0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:48–07:48 Dusk 15:36–17:36

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:07–09:07 Major period 19:07–21:07 Minor period 01:03–02:33 Minor period 13:41–15:11

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

04:00
53°
05:00
53°
06:00
52°
07:00
53°
08:00
57°
09:00
61°
10:00
64°
11:00
67°
12:00
69°
13:00
70°
14:00
70°
15:00
69°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Walleye
Sander vitreus
74%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
35%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
22%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Northern Pike
Esox lucius
22%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
22%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
20%
Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.
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About the fishing here

Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey's largest lake, a busy recreational lake in the northwest part of the state with a long history as a summer destination. It carries a mixed warmwater fishery of largemouth and smallmouth bass, along with stocked walleye and panfish in the shallower coves. Boat traffic is heavy on summer weekends, so early morning is the better window for anglers working the shoreline structure.

Anglers here regularly land Walleye, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Lake Trout and Muskellunge.

Walleye is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a soft-plastic jig for walleye, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for walleye at night. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, orange or firetiger for walleye.
Lure Soft-plastic jig for walleye: Jig with worm or plastic.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in New Jersey, United States, about 4 square miles (10 km2) in area. Located 30 miles (48 km) from the Delaware River and 40 miles (64 km) from Manhattan, New York City, the lake forms part of the border between Sussex and Morris counties in the state's northern highlands region.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Hopatcong?

Popular catches here include Walleye, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Muskellunge, Common Carp and Blue Catfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Hopatcong?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Hopatcong?

For Walleye, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Hopatcong right now?

Right now Walleye is the most likely catch, at about 76%.