Lake Hopatcong’s brown trout study enters third year

March 21, 2024| Community, Environment

By: Holly Odgers

The Brown Trout Study at Lake Hopatcong, a collaboration effort of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Lake Hopatcong Commission, and the Knee Deep Club, is gearing up for its third and final year of fish stocking. The study, which is expected to continue into next year, aims to gather valuable data to assess the long-term population dynamics of larger stocked trout and the general health of Lake Hopatcong.

Scheduled for April 13, the third-year stocking will see another 1,000 12” to 14” tagged brown trout released into Lake Hopatcong. The release will occur at Dow’s Boat Rental in Lake Hopatcong, at 2 pm. The public is welcome to observe and possibly assist in loading the fish onto boats that will disperse them throughout the lake.

This year, all trout will bear tan-colored tags (2022 tags were blue and 2023 were silver) and anglers are encouraged to report their catches, including photos whenever possible. Not only does this help with gathering essential data, but it also enters participants into a drawing for one of five $100 VISA gift cards, generously provided by Live the Lake NJ! Details on reporting options are below. 

The winners from last year’s tag reports were drawn at a recent Lake Hopatcong Commission meeting. Congratulations to Jim Archambault of Hopatcong, Hunter Good of Oakridge, Lou Marcucci of Landing, Leonard Okken of Newton, and Michael Rivera of Ringoes! Notably, last year saw nearly four times as many tags reported compared to the study's inaugural year, with anglers coming from 11 different counties, including New York City.

In addition to the tag data, water quality studies are being conducted by environmental consultant, Princeton Hydro. These studies, generously funded by the New Jersey Highlands Council with support from Jefferson Township, aim to provide crucial insights into the lake's ecosystem. A report of these findings will be submitted and shared when it becomes available. 

Preliminary reports shared with the trout committee show marked improvement in summer trout habitat over the previous year, attributed in part to the generally overcast and rainy summer weather of 2023 compared to the warm, dry summer of 2022. 

Reporting Tagged Trout

When you catch a tagged trout, take note of the color of the tag, measure your catch, and, if possible, take a photo of the trout with the tag (to help maintain the health of the fish, please wet your hand before handling).  After you have safely released the trout, report your catch through the form at LHCtrout.com. Paper forms are also available at Dow’s Boat Retail (145 Nolan’s Point Rd, Lake Hopatcong) or Lake’s End Marina (91 Mt Arlington Blvd, Landing).

If you choose to keep the fish, please report your catch and turn the tag(s) in at Dow’s Boat Retail, Lake’s End Marina, or mail them to the Knee Deep Club (PO Box 404, Lake Hopatcong NJ 07849).

Five $100 Visa gift cards will be awarded each year

At the end of each year, five participants will be randomly selected to receive a $100 Visa gift card. To be eligible for prizes, you must report your catch through a form and include a photo of the fish with the tag or turn the tag in at one of the locations mentioned above.

Please note that all participants must comply with all NJ Fish and Wildlife regulations and entrants must be licensed and possess a trout stamp if the trout is kept. We do ask that all efforts be made to release the trout with the tag back into the lake in order to improve the study’s success.

Thank you for your help and happy fishing!

Photo by Ulla Vinkman