Check out our Interactive Fishing Maps!
WOODPORT, N.J. Jersey anglers are in the middle of winter, and what better locale to hit up than the legendary Lake Hopatcong?
The northern New Jersey lake is by far one of the best, if not the most productive, lakes in the state for hard water action.
On any given day in winter, chain pickerel, yellow perch, walleye, tiger musky, sunfish, largemouth bass, trout and crappie can ruthlessly attack and set your ice-fishing lust on fire.
You'll be tripping over your fishing partners chasing tripped flags from sunup to sundown.
So far this season, Hopatcong, on the Sussex-Morris county line, has frozen over five times, according to Laurie Murphy at Dow's Boat Rental (973-663-3826), but she said the wind's been chewing it back off of most of the lake. Call ahead for updates.
Freeze-up plan
Chris Lido of River Rat Guide Service (908-797-6136) hits the hard water scene with a vengeance.
"Generally, the first parts to freeze over come January and February are at the state park section at the most southerly end of the lake and also at Woodport north of Brady Bridge. Plenty of weed cover exists there, and the shallower waters hold fish first."
Dow reports 5 inches of ice at Woodport on the north end and the state park on the south as of Jan. 6.
Main course
Yellow perch and chain picks are the main fare that trip your flags, but there's always a chance that a true beast will inhale a live shiner.
On a trip last year off Nolan's Point, I joined Lido to witness Matt Zmuda handline in a 42-inch tiger musky, estimated to weigh 25 pounds, through the ice.
What a rush!
We all helped in releasing the gator back into the lake.
The big boys without a doubt lay within, but those sending shiners down will most likely tie into the perch and picks. Those apt to take up jigging will be more into the crappie, sunnies and perch.
How to
"Nice crappie and yellow perch can be caught on small 1�32- ounce Rufus Jrs. tipped with mousies or wax worms," said Lido.
"Bass and pickerel will take shiners fished in the 5- to 10-foot depths below tip-ups set a foot off of the bottom."
Wary walleye
Even though it's ridiculous to even claim being tired of hoisting in perch, pickerel and bass one after another, there is another avenue you can choose to take once the ice lays a thick mat on the lake.
Lido recommends shifting your focus to other productive areas for a more elusive denizen, walleye.
"Chestnut Point, and The Ridge and between Raccoon and Halsey's islands are prime places to be," he said.
"It's a little known fact, but walleye are taken there with pretty decent consistency, as the waters are deeper and the rocky ledges of the area hold them tight."
How long
Ice activity can sometimes last into March, with February being the prime month, as the ice is usually at its thickest then.
Updates
Call Dow's Boat Rental (973-663-3826). They're on the lake's east side at 145 Nolans Point Rd. and keep an eye on things.
Material from Fishing & Hunting News
published 24 times a year.
Visit them at www.fishingandhuntingnews.com.