Lake Hopatcong

Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in New Jersey, United States, about 4 square miles (10 km²) in area. Located 30 miles from the Delaware River and 40 miles from Manhattan, New York City, the lake forms part of the border between Sussex and Morris counties in the state's northern highlands region. Historically known as a resort lake for vacationing New Yorkers, it is now a mostly suburban residential lake and is abuzz with motorboats and personal watercraft. Popular tourist attractions on the lake include the Hopatcong State Park, The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, and the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club. Lake Hopatcong has bars and restaurants that are accessible directly by boat. A large part of the shoreline is privately owned, but public swimming is permitted at Hopatcong State Park. A thin, sandy beach hugs the shore, with plenty of grassy places to lounge farther inland. Volleyball and half basketball courts are near the bathhouse and concession area. Picnic grounds, with grills, make it easy to stay all day. A boat launch is available if you'd like to get out on the water and fish. Swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty. Popular tourist attractions on the lake include the Hopatcong State Park, The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, and the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.

Each spring, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake with rainbow trout, and in past years also stocked brook and brown trout. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, yellow and white perch, rock bass, bluegill, crappie, chain pickerel, channel catfish, bullhead, and carp all inhabit the lake. Eels also have been caught. Hybrid striped bass, walleye, and most recently, muskellunge have been stocked within the last few decades and now are thriving. Catfish also are stocked from time to time. The main forage is the abundant alewife herring (Clupea vernalis), the basis of the lake's fish food chain.

Lake Mohawk

Lake Mohawk is an unincorporated residential development and census-designated place split between Byram Township and Sparta Township, in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. The lake is the largest artificial body of water in the state of New Jersey that is a private lake. There is the main lake in the mountains of the community and the Alpine Pool, both of which are spring fed. The water for the Alpine Pool cascades down gracefully from a spring that rises from an even higher peak in the mountains.

The buildings in the tiny town center reflect an alpine architectural style. This distinctive architecture in the town center and of many homes was a major aspect of the listing of Lake Mohawk on the National Register of Historic Places. The town center has restaurants, a post office, and limited shop, service, or professional space. This area is called White Deer Plaza after a Native American who lent her name to the center. A tiered boardwalk was constructed along the northern edge of the lake where the town center exists. A country club dominates the boardwalk near the dam at the waterfall at the outlet which is the source of the Wallkill River that created the lake. The river flows out of the lake in a northerly direction. A landing was provided along the Lake Mohawk Boardwalk that Lake Mohawk residents may use to tie up to a dock while visiting the Country Club facilities. There is an outside restaurant that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day for Lake Mohawk members only. Annual events include the Beer and Wine Tasting, German Christmas Market, Holiday Tree Lighting, Easter and Mother’s Day buffet, and the July 4th Buffet and Fireworks.

Beaches are provided along the edge of the lakes, spaced to enable residents of Lake Mohawk to walk to the nearest one. Membership in the club is required for owners and renters alike. An attended gated area, resembling castle turrets, exists on the western "trail", which leads to the homes on the islands and along the western shore. A golf course located along the western drive is part of the country club.

Except for the Alpine Pool and the main lake areas that are accessible from an entrance high in the mountains, all of the community is reached by descending from the surrounding mountains of Sussex County. Homes have been built up each face of the enclosing mountains, but the roads to them are accessed only from the main road around the lake. From the Alpine Pool, a panoramic view of the county is possible. On one side almost the entire stretch of the main lake is visible and on the other, the mountains that reach into the states of Pennsylvania and New York.

At the southern end of the lake is a swimming pool and tennis complex originally called the "Marine Pool", that is constructed to resemble the deck of an ocean liner. It is modeled after the likes of SS Normandie, having all of the appointments of a cruise ship, with a galley motif for the restaurant and a great stand of stadium seating with colorful backs for the spectators at swimming events held at the facility. Swimming events at the pool are AAU competitions in all aquatic categories. The pool is Olympic-size (50m, with eight lanes) and has a central tower for diving events. The depth of the pool at that portion is ten feet. Both ends of the pool are more shallow, with a kiddie section nearest the tennis courts. Beyond the pool to the south are three asphalt tennis courts, with another set of three clay courts in the parking area.

Many of the homes along the water have boathouses and docks. Sailboats and motorboats are a popular way to get around the lake. The "Marine Base", a marina built in the style of the country club, is located at a midpoint along the lake on the eastern shore. Lake Mohawk Yacht Club, incorporated in 1938, is a private club located in Sparta Township, New Jersey, on Lake Mohawk. Sailing was taking place as an organized activity on the lake as early as 1933.