Waterbody · New Jersey
Lake Hopatcong Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Hopatcong fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 66 current rules from DEP Fish & Wildlife. Anglers target largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye.
Rules (66)
DEP Fish & Wildlife regulates 66 rules across 10 species at this water.
Largemouth Bass
11 WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
17 WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
20 WatersOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Alloway Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Min size
- 15"
Assunpink Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Min size
- 15"
CranberryOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Surplus stocked
Deal LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Surplus stocked
Delaware Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Min size
- 15"
Delaware River
- Season opens
- Jun 13
Greenwood LakeOut of season
- Season opens
- Jun 20
- Season closes
- Nov 30
Menantico Sand Wash PondOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 10 lbs. 14 oz.
Merrill Creek Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 15"
daily combined creel and possession limit of three Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum size limit
Parvin Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Min size
- 15"
Round Valley Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 15"
Ryker Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 5 fish
Splitrock Reservoir
- Daily bag
- 3 combined
- Min size
- 15"
New Jersey statewideCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Jun 16
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 combined
- Min size
- 12"
April 15–June 15
Hybrid Striped Bass
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Delaware RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Surplus stocked
Manasquan ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Monksville ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 17 lbs. 12 oz.
Raritan River
- Daily bag
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
Raritan River (Downstream Of Duke Island Park Dam)
- Season opens
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 1
- Slot min
- 28"
- Slot max
- 31"
Spruce Run ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
New Jersey statewideOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 2
- Min size
- 16"
Walleye
Delaware RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jan 1
State Record: 13 lbs. 9 oz.
Merrill Creek ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Tilcon LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Wawayanda LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
New Jersey statewideCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3
- Min size
- 18"
March 1–April 30
Muskellunge
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Min size
- 44"
stocked
Tiger Musky
Lake Hopatcong
- Min size
- 44"
Tiger Musky & Muskellunge
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Trophy Muskie Waters
Trout
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Open
stocked with trout pre-season
Tiger Muskie
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
stocked
Channel Catfish
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 33 lbs. 3 oz.
Rainbow Trout
Lake HopatcongOpen
- Status
- Permitted
State Record: 13 lbs. 0 oz.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Hopatcong?
DEP Fish & Wildlife regulates fishing on Lake Hopatcong.
What species can I target on Lake Hopatcong?
Lake Hopatcong is best known for largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DEP Fish & Wildlife on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .