They jump, contest your command, and would bite you if they had teeth. Find them in isolated locations over rocks, where they are hunting crayfish. Use frogs, real or rubber, with light tackle and your battle with the smallmouth is on. Trout and bass aren't Lake Hopatcong's whole fish story. Walleye are rare, despite the thousands stocked each year.
Pickerel are everywhere.
The largest run about 5 lb. and can be found in the deepest, coldest water by springs and rock formations. Fishing at about 20 feet around Raccoon Island will yield 3-5 nice size pickerel a day. And don't disregard the panfish. Crappie and perch can yield a memorable day of fishing for the whole family. Retrieve slow to get crappies, retrieve fast for yellow perch.