Chain pickerel top fish in Lake Hopactong ice fishing contest

The chain pickerel, a member of the pike family known for chain-like pattern on its greenish body, were in a biting mood for last Sunday's ice fishing contest on Lake Hopatcong, hosted by the Knee Deep Club.

The contest, which hadn't run in a couple of years due to mild winters, was a great success with over 60 fish weighed in from the 100-plus anglers who entered the contest. Just as important, everyone safely returned off the ice.

A 4-pound, 9-ounce one chain pickerel landed by Walt Hewitt of Dunellen was the biggest fish of the day, though the contest doesn't award a grand prize winner. Instead, the top three finishers in three categories: chain pickerel, yellow perch/crappie and an "All Other Species" get awarded prize money. Kids have their own categories and the winners get an ice fishing pole. For the record, a chain pickerel was the winner there too.

Janine DePula, of Mercerville, won the "All Other Species," category with a 4-pound, 8-ounce largemouth bass. Steven Silva, of Bernardsville was the final top winner with 1-pound, 2-ounce crappie. The first place prize winners each took home $168.

More:Ice fishermen pull in pickerel, perch as New Jersey lakes freeze up

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

While the deep freeze appears to have broken, the temps are still dropping below freezing at night and as of Thursday Laurie Murphy at Dow's Bow Rentals at Nolan Point said they had a solid 7 to 10 inches of ice coverage. She said it melts a little during the day and freezes right back up night.

There have been plenty of fishermen on the lake and they have been joined by wildlife. She says fishermen have enjoyed the company of a blue heron that has been drinking from the holes in the ice created by the fishermen. Some timid fox have been begging for a fish on the periphery and any fish not claimed on the ice will be picked up by a resident eagle.

Wreck Fishing

Ocean going trips have slowed to a crawl. Capt. William Egerter Jr. of the Dauntless said the ocean water temperature dropped from 48 to 37 degrees. Right now there is one area where he is able to catch ling but he's not seeing much else life on the bottom — not even eels or dogfish, which seem to thrive in the cold conditions.

More:What's biting: get the latest fishing reports here

On the surface he has read and seen bunker about seven miles off the beach on more than one occasion. He has not observed any mackerel or whiting, which would certainly would be a welcome and perhaps bring people down to the docks. As it is, with all the cold weather, windy days, and overall slow fishing very few people have been coming down to the docks to board the boat. At this point he said he will just be sailing weekends.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.