Be my valentine, Lake Hopatcong?

February 12, 2021| Community

By: Caitlin Doran

Swan photo by Bob Kays

Love is in the air (and snow is in the forecast)! While a cold, snowy Valentine’s Day at Lake Hopatcong might require bundling up, shoveling, deicing, etc. there are still plenty of things about the lake at wintertime that melt our hearts. Here are some of them, from four LHF Supporters.

"I used to ice fish when I didn’t live on the lake. Now, it’s nice to stand near my wood stove, look out the window and watch others enjoy the day." – Brian Hewitt

"I went cross country skiing just this morning. I’m hoping to go iceboating this season if conditions improve. The ice is really gorgeous. It acts as a giant reflector and actually warms up my whole house. It’s nice and toasty – even keeps my coffee warm!" – Fred Steinbaum

"What I like about Lake Hopatcong in winter is the serenity of having no powerboats. The lake looks blindingly beautiful in the sun’s light, and especially spectacular during some of our beautiful sunsets. The eagle pairs of the lake cannot get fish through the ice, they have been picking off Canada Geese for dinner. These birds are large and longer-lasting meals for eagles. The over-population of geese is one of the problems feeding the algae growth. This a nature at its finest." – Bob “The Eagle Guy” Behrent

"What I love about the lake in winter is all the activity. I love seeing the fishermen out there. I love seeing the kids, and the adults, playing ice hockey, and just enjoying the outdoors. During the pandemic, getting outside is something people need to do for their mental health." – Jennifer Barone 

For these reasons and more, we LOVE Lake Hopatcong - even, no, especially in winter! But for all you warm-weather lovers, fear not, there are only 17 days until meteorological Spring, 27 days until the vernal equinox, and 128 days until the summer solstice!