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[yakbassin]

Hopewell is up to 60. Seems like the males are up shallow scoping out the beds. Good news is they are certainly eating. Soft plastics and cranks were hitting for me, however hopewell is a dink feast but still enjoyable

[icemole]

About 5-6 yrs ago the size really took a nose dive. There were schools of 6-8" bass popping up all over the surface. Occasionally you'd get a few 8-10" mixed in. Small baits were key 4" worms, "crappie" sized plugs and spinnerbaits worked great while normal bass baits were ignored or just too big. It was also about that time that the grass started to disappear.

I gave it a rest until last year went back down in late July into Sept.(still no grass, well what was there looked like 2-3" thick shag carpet) I waded the pool side all the way down to the dam. No catches worth the drive, I might have got 1 12" bass the rest were all under 10". Not only was the grass gone but the trees that the beaver had felled were also gone(no fresh beaver sign either). I asked the park and she said they are now spraying weekiller(no affect on the pads)due to the weeds being a "boating hazard"(I'm guessing it's too hard to paddle a yak/paddleboard through). I asked her if they took out the trees and trapped out the beaver too but she did not respond to me anymore.

[Deleted]

I for one am glad they are spraying the weeds. My last trip down there (October 2016) the weeds were so bad I didn't even try to launch my boat. Getting out to the main lake area from the boat ramp was awful and has been for several years. I don't mind a little bit of milfoil; but that lake was BAD! Hopewell is very well known for its small bass so when you go there that is what you should expect. But if you look up at the top of the page at the pics on the banner that's me in the middle pic with a very healthy bass from Hopewell (caught down near the dam). I fish other lakes most of the time but every once in a while I just want to go out for sheer numbers and Hopewell is the place to do it. I have had many, many 25+ bass days on the lake and knowing they will mostly be small bass ahead of time allows me to have a great time. But over the years I have caught several monsters out of the lake as well; they are in there but are normally buried in the weeds and very difficult to catch. One of the best baits I have found to use on the lake is actually a hollow body frog through the pads. I agree with fishing smaller baits in the lake for better success but typical bass baits will work. The one in the pic up top was caught on a zoom horny toad in the middle of a sunny day. I have caught hundreds of bass out of that lake on a frog and honestly; the ones caught with a frog do tend to be a little larger. But again; if you just want to go out and have a great time and catch a bunch of bass; Hopewell is the place to do it.

[yakbassin]

I fish here regularly just because it's ten minutes away and easy to just throw the kayak in and catch fish after or before work. I don't think I've ever pulled anything larger than 12" Other than a monster 24" pickerel on a chatter bait.

[johnnotkathi]

Guys, I don't live to far and would like to try the place out (for bass). I don't have a boat so am shore bound. Tips/suggestions? Thanks in advance!!

[icemole]

Gary - there may have been grass around the launch but once you would have got past the pier the main lake was 2-4" of green "shag" carpet. The floating grass that ringed the shoreline in the old days was gone - at least on the pool side.

John - There are several spots on the pool side that you can fish from shore including the pier. If you have waders/hip boots or shorts once the water warms up your spots increase. The only thing is that side is "open" seasonally and something like 9-5 so the gate may be closed to driving over. You can park past the restrooms across from the little playground and follow the trail around though.

You can also park at the boat launch and there is a trail that will take you around. Or you can go the other way and follow the trail on the opposite side of the lake. There are fewer spots to fish on that side and some distance between them.

The lake is basically "bowl" shaped with deeper water in the middle and gradual sides. I know of 1 "drop-off" that you can fish(not hard to find LOL) from shore/wading. Other than that no structure. Depth wise above the islands is 0-4' islands to just above the pool 4-8' Pool to boat rental 8-12' and below there down to about 15-20' average.

Most of you fishing from shore/wading is going to be under 10' unless you really zing a cast out there LOL.

I do not fish bass during the "spawn" I start after bass reopens in June. I concentrate on early mornings while the water is cool an no "renters" on the lake.

[johnnotkathi]

Thanks for the info....will be nice to try a new spot...