Lake Hopatcong ready for Memorial Day fun seekers

Lake Hopatcong will celebrate the unofficial start of summertime fun this weekend as residents descend on the area for Memorial Day weekend. The lake is located in northwestern New Jersey on the border

News 12 Staff

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May 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

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Updated 6,101 days ago

Lake Hopatcong will celebrate the unofficial start of summertime fun this weekend as residents descend on the area for Memorial Day weekend.

The lake is located in northwestern New Jersey on the border of Morris and Sussex counties and offers 2,600 acres of water for vacationers to boat, swim and frolic about in.

Ray Fernandez, a marina operator at Lake Hopatcong, says more and more residents are opting to hit the lake instead of driving out to the shore. Fernandez says the lake offers something for everyone.

"There is great skiing out here," he says. "If you like water sports, you can do all your water sports - tubing, skiing, wake boarding ? loads of great swimming, fishing is incredible."

Joe Muzillo takes his 4-year-old daughter to the lake with him. He says it's a cheap spot to have fun.

"This is my shore right here," says Muzillo. "Instead of $20 in gas to go down to the shore, it is easier to come out here for 5 dollars for the day and have a good time."

The cost to enjoy the area may go up in the future, however.

The lake may have to start charging boater fees to make up for state funding cuts, according to the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Boater user fees could go into effect by next summer.