Fishing Lake Hopatcong, NJ

AKA: Hopatcong Reservoir

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 6, 2026.

Popular Fish Species
Lake Hopatcong Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Fishing License
Map
Contact Info

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Popular Fish Species

Hybrid Striped Bass

Fishing for hybrid striped bass, aka wipers, has been successful for many years now. Hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Hopatcong, as they are plentiful and grow to bragging size. Fishing for hybrid stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and schools of hybrid striped bass are likely to be in the area. Fish finders improve your odds of locating both bait and wipers. Live bait is very very effective here, and these chubby fish can be caught in good numbers.

Walleye

The NJDEP, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife maintains a healthy population of fat walleye in Lake Hopatcong. In winter, ice fishing for walleye is productive. Walleye are often difficult to locate, but it can be rewarding when you find them. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, they stay close by schools of baitfish. They tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Largemouth Bass

Fishing for largemouth bass in Lake Hopatcong is considered to be quite good. Smallmouth and spotted bass also reside here. Currently, largemouth bass are thriving due to fertile water, and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure. Once the lake ices over, it's a good time to pursue other species.

Lake & Fishing Video

Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, bluegill, yellow perch, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel, muskie and tiger muskie at Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey.

This 2,700-acre lake, with over 45 miles of shoreline, is located in the north-central part of the state, at Hopatcong.

Fishing Report