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Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, USA

Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey, at about nine miles long with 45 miles of shoreline and covering 2,560 acres. Only 45 miles from New York City, the lake runs between the borders of Sussex and Morris Counties tucked in the mountains in the northern part of New Jersey. Lake Hopatcong provides year-round recreational opportunities. Since the 1880s, the lake has been a popular…
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    • All About Lake Hopatcong, NJ

    Lake Locations: USA - US Mid-Atlantic Region - New Jersey - Skylands Region, NJ -

    Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey, at about nine miles long with 45 miles of shoreline and covering 2,560 acres. Only 45 miles from New York City, the lake runs between the borders of Sussex and Morris Counties tucked in the mountains in the northern part of New Jersey. Lake Hopatcong provides year-round recreational opportunities. Since the 1880s, the lake has been a popular tourist destination, providing summer breezes and cool water for nearby city dwellers. Today, the shores of the lake still speak to that era, with many residences, restaurants, marinas, pubs and shops peppered along its shoreline.

    Fishing is popular all year long, and Lake Hopatcong is considered one of the best freshwater fishing locales on the East Coast. The lake has the largest variety of fish species of any waterway in New Jersey, besides the Delaware River. Lake Hopatcong has both largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, rock bass, pickerel, catfish, crappie, bullhead, carp, and yellow and white perch. Eels have also been caught. Brown, rainbow and brook trout are stocked each year, but they do not usually live through the summers because the lake does not provide the cold, deep, oxygenated pockets they need to survive the heat. Hybrid striped bass, walleye, and muskellunge have all been stocked successfully and are now thriving. Fishing enthusiasts should be aware of the unique underwater geography of Lake Hopatcong. Hundreds of barges crossed the lake in the days of the Morris Canal, and dropped ballast at regular spots. Today, these spots are popular hangouts for hybrid striped bass, as the lake’s bottom suddenly rises from 40 to 20 feet under the water.

    Lake Hopatcong is also excellent for any kind of boating, from canoes exploring quiet coves to large motor boats, sailboats, sailboards, and jet skis criss-crossing its waters. Boats are available for rent at many private marinas around the lake. Lake Hopatcong is the only lake in New Jersey (besides Greenwood Lake on the New York border) with bars and restaurants accessible directly by boat.

    A public boat ramp is available at Hopatcong State Park, and boating is open seven days a week depending on parking availability. There is a $10 daily launch fee, or an annual pass can be purchased for $55. Lee’s County Park Marina, maintained by the Morris County Park System, also provides public access, with 110 boat slips, nine moorings and three boat launch ramps. Many restaurants, bait shops, and other businesses are accessible by boat from the lake.

    Summer brings swimming, grilling, and sand volleyball to Lake Hopatcong. Hopatcong State Park borders the lake on the southwest end. With 159 acres, the park is one of the busiest in the state’s system, hosting nearly 200,000 visitors each summer. Park amenities include a beach, two playgrounds, six half-basketball courts, a large playing field, and several picnic areas. A bathhouse with restrooms, showers, and other amenities is available, as well as a first aid area and concessions. The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum is also located nearby, which provides exhibits about the history of the area. Lake Hopatcong bursts with activity during the winter, too. Popular winter activities include ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice boating, sledding and ice sailing.

    Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and campers won’t want to miss the 3,200 acres of wilderness and 20 miles of multi-use trails available at nearby Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, which is the largest park in the Morris County Park System. Golfers may enjoy visiting the Berkshire Valley Golf Course, a local public course. The Berkshire Valley Wildlife Management Area also provides 1829 acres with fishing and hunting opportunities near the lake.

    Lake Hopatcong is part of Hopatcong State Park, which is administered by the Division of Parks and Forestry, part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Division controls Lake Hopatcong’s water levels with a dam and gate-type locks, releasing about four million gallons of outflow daily. Lake Hopatcong discharges into the Musconetcong River, a tributary of the Delaware River. A downstream lake, Lake Musconetcong, relies on Lake Hopatcong’s discharge. Lake Hopatcong is also an emergency source of drinking water for the State of New Jersey.

    Lake Hopatcong is spring-fed with no major tributaries, and was formed by glaciers in prehistoric times. The Division of Parks and Forestry lowers water levels 26 inches in November for flood control purposes, and keeps that level during the winter in anticipation of melting ice and rain in the spring. Every five years the Division lowers water levels 60 inches for lake and dock maintenance. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency gave the Lake Hopatcong Commission a federal grant to improve the lake’s water quality and prevent phosphorus from entering the lake.

    The origins of the unusual name, Hopatcong, are disputed. Some say that the name derives from the Native American Lenni Lenape word “huppakong,” meaning “honey waters of many coves.” It may also be a derivative of another Lenape word, “hapakonoesson,” meaning “pipe stone.” Lake Hopatcong is comprised of two natural lakes, originally known as Great Pond to the south and Little Pond to the north. In 1750, a dam was built on the Musconetcong River to provide power for a local iron forge, which raised the water level about six feet and joined the two lakes into one. Another dam was built in 1827 by the Morris Canal and Banking Company, raising the water level by another 11 feet. This created the lake we know today. The Morris Canal was created to transport coal, iron and zinc across the state. The lake was acquired by the state in 1922. The canal was officially abandoned in 1924, as faster railroads took over.

    Lake Hopatcong is one of the most beautiful lakes in New Jersey, offering every kind of activity imaginable. From the wild outdoors to big-city access, campfire cooking to wonderful restaurants, Lake Hopatcong has something for everyone.

    Things to Do at Lake Hopatcong

    These are some activities in the Lake Hopatcong, NJ area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Jet Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Ice Skating
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Hopatcong?

    Lake Hopatcong has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Brook Trout
    • Carp
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Eel
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Perch
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    • White Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Hopatcong

    If you’re considering a Lake Hopatcong lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Hopatcong Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Hopatcong lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Hopatcong Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry

    Surface Area: 2,560 acres

    Shoreline Length: 45 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 924 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 915 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 926 feet

    Average Depth: 18 feet

    Maximum Depth: 58 feet

    Water Volume: 48,209 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 623 days

    Lake Area-Population: 15,900

    Drainage Area: 25 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Meso-eutrophic

    Lake Hopatcong Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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