Some Hybrids & Walleye in Laurie's Report

 Laurie Murphy:

The State and The Knee Deep Club have completed their Trout stocking and the season opened officially on April 10. These trout will take to trolling small spoons, Rapala husky jerks, or small spinners in shallower water along the shore lines and backs of coves. The Knee Deep Club will hold their annual Trout & Pickerel contests on Saturday April 18. Crappie fishing continues to be great, with several slabs brought in this week.  Alex Stockton weighed in with his crappie at 1 lb 7 oz, along with Kevin Cole’s at 1 lb 12 oz, and junior Knee Deeper Brooke Hughen with a 1 lb 3oz fish. Despite still being early in the season, Aaron from Lake Hopatcong Guide Service has again reported some good Hybrid Striped Bass and Walleye action at night with Chris Mackin, catching Hybrids in the 6 - 7 pound range, using suspending jerkbaits, and larger grubs and swimbaits. Aaron operates a full time guide service on the lake and welcomes anglers of all levels to come experience some of the best multi-species fishing that NJ has to offer. Walleye season at this time is catch and release only until May 1st. Bass fishing was also good this week, with Matt Teeter’s catch and release smallmouth of 3 1/2  pounds, caught on a soft plastic swimbait.  Bass season remains open until April 15th. Have a great week ...