Coming from the Big Lake

Now we know the ice season is over. Here it is from Laurie after a long while since she last reported:

So begins another season…except the weather isn’t cooperating too nicely as of yet. But we do have plenty of water in Lake Hopatcong, so this year that isn’t a problem. We are ready with boat rentals, bait and tackle. Our April hours are from 6 AM to 7 PM. There are plenty of trout here with the State having stocked twice already and expected back again this week, and the Knee Deep Club stocked over the weekend, adding over a thousand more trout. They will be holding their Trout and Pickerel contest on Sunday, April 22, starting at 5 AM. It is two separate contests, with an entry fee for each. You can fish either one , or both contests, with a cash prize for the top 3 heaviest fish in each category.  The entry fee is $20/ member and $25/ non-member.  We will open early for the contest and you may register up until 8 AM that morning. Trolling phoebes and  rapalas in shallower water is the way to catch trout this time of year, and trolling rapalas or a mepps spinner should produce the pickerel. We are seeing yellow perch and crappie on rufus jigs and small rubber jigs fished under a bobber, also in the shallow water, and   the walleye have started to hit,  also in the shallower water, taking larger rapala husky jerks. The season for them will reopen on May 1st and remember that  Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass is closed from April 15th until June 15th for their spawning season.  Some notable catches this past week included a 1 lb 11 oz crappie caught by Dylan Cole and a 4 lb 4 oz pickerel weighed in by Pete Rathjens. Have a Great week !!!