Lake Hopatcong Guidelines

  • Take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning boats, trailers, fishing gear and other equipment that has recently been in other bodies of water.

  • Never throw trash in the lake. Litter in the lake hurts both humans and fish.

  • Do not feed water fowl.

  • Practice proper fueling techniques. Use pump-out facilities if applicable for your boat.

  • Consider the impact your boat wake has for those fishing, kayaking, enjoying time on a moored boat, and even on shore.

  • Respect private property and do not trespass on private land. However, if your boat is in distress, drift or paddle to a dock and call for help.

  • Lend a hand. Assist anyone in distress on the lake as long as you can do so safely.

  • Pass behind un-powered vessels like sailboats, rowboats, and kayaks.

  • Treat other anglers, boaters and recreational users with courtesy and respect.

  • When anchoring, choose a spot that does not impede navigation.

Byram Cove Guidelines:

  • Enter the cove with little or no wake to reduce waves for others already enjoying the day.

  • Respect your neighbors - both on the water and on land.

  • Sound carries much farther on the water, and you can be heard clearly from quite a distance away.

  • When anchoring for recreational purposes (this does not include boats solely engaged in fishing) maintain a 100-foot navigation corridor of open water between the end of any dock, shoreline, or obstruction and your boat. This allows boats to navigate safely and allows homeowners to swim by their docks.

Remember that under state regulation, you must proceed at no higher than 5 miles per hour within 100 feet of docks.
Select your anchorage carefully, giving yourself and neighboring boats ample room.
Remember that winds change, anchor lines tangle, and boats can easily bump into each other.
Under state regulation, boats may not be tied to a buoy or anchored within 50 feet of a buoy.
If you are rafting (tying boats together), keep the navigation corridor open.
Rafts, tubes, and other floating objects should not be tethered (tied) with a rope exceeding twenty feet.
Any object tethered to your boat should be kept clear of the navigation corridor.

 

MAKE THE LAKE SAFE AND ENJOYABLE FOR ALL!