Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is a lake in New Jersey. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.
Best day to fish
The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.
Conditions right now
Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.
Best times today
Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.
Feeding times today
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
Likely catch now (17 species)
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 Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.
Bluegill is generally most active around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day 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
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 Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout and Northern Pike.
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 Bluegill, the fishing tends to peak around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.
What is biting at Lake Hopatcong right now?
Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 21%.