Hopatcong State Park
Encyclopedia
Hopatcong State Park is a State Park
located in Landing
, New Jersey
. At the center of the park lies Lake Hopatcong
. Hopatcong State Park is located toward the Southwestern side of the lake. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
.
system, the canal remains an inseparable part of the park. Parts of the canal are maintained by park staff.
, in addition to Lake Hopatcong, are now part of Hopatcong State Park.
, rainbow trout
and brook trout
. Warm water species commonly caught are large mouth bass, sunfish
, catfish
, perch
and pickerel
. During the winter, ice fishing is allowed (conditions permitting). Fishing is subject to NJDEP regulations.
through Labor Day
while lifeguards are on duty. Facilities are available.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located in Landing
Landing, New Jersey
Landing is a small settlement and unincorporated area located within Roxbury Township, New Jersey, on the south shore of Lake Hopatcong near Hopatcong State Park...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. At the center of the park lies Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in the state of New Jersey, USA, approximately 4 square miles in area. The lake is located in the mountains of northern New Jersey, north of Netcong and along the border between Sussex and Morris counties.The lake is within the borders of four...
. Hopatcong State Park is located toward the Southwestern side of the lake. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry is responsible for the management and operation of New Jersey's 42 parks, 11 forests and 3 recreation areas, as well as for the more than 50 historic sites and districts...
.
Morris Canal
Because Lake Hopatcong was part of the Morris CanalMorris Canal
The Morris Canal was an anthracite-carrying canal that incorporated a series of water-driven inclined planes in its course across northern New Jersey in the United States. It was in use for about a century — from the late 1820s to the 1920s....
system, the canal remains an inseparable part of the park. Parts of the canal are maintained by park staff.
Lake Musconetcong
Built to provide additional water to the Morris Canal, Lake MusconetcongLake Musconetcong
Lake Musconetcong is located on the border of Morris County and Sussex County, New Jersey, and is part of Hopatcong State Park, which is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Musconetcong River flows through the lake....
, in addition to Lake Hopatcong, are now part of Hopatcong State Park.
Fishing
Both Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong offer year-round fishing. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong with brown troutBrown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
, rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
. Warm water species commonly caught are large mouth bass, sunfish
Centrarchidae
The sunfishes are a family of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the order Perciformes. The type genus is Centrarchus . The family's 27 species includes many fishes familiar to North Americans, including the rock bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and crappies...
, catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, perch
Perch
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning spotted, and the...
and pickerel
Pickerel
Pickerel may refer to:*Esox, the genus of fish commonly known as the pickerels which includes pike and muskellunge as well as other pickerel*American pickerel*Chain pickerel*Walleye, or Yellow Pickerel * Pickerel Frog...
. During the winter, ice fishing is allowed (conditions permitting). Fishing is subject to NJDEP regulations.
Picnicking
There are several picnic areas in the park. At each picnic area, grills and tables are available.Basketball/Playgrounds/Play Field
The park has two playgrounds along with six half-basketball courts and sand volleyball. In addition, there is a large playing field available for field sports.Boating/Canoeing
Lake Hopatcong allows for any type of boating, ranging from canoes to large motor boats, sailboats, sailboards and jet skis. Boats are available for rent at many private marinas around the lake. Boating is subject to New Jersey Boating Regulations and Marine Law. There is a boat ramp in the park itself.Swimming
Swimming is permitted in the park from Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
through Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
while lifeguards are on duty. Facilities are available.