Blue Marsh Reservoir Fishing
A 1,150-acre Pennsylvania reservoir in Pennsylvania.
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Augustin Liviu, CC BY-SA 3.0
Blue Marsh Reservoir, size and setting
In Pennsylvania, Blue Marsh Reservoir is a reservoir of 1,150 acres by PFBC count. Roughly 4 miles separates the lake point from Bernville. Overflow heads into Tulpehocken Creek. PFBC handles it from its Southcentral Region office.
Listed fish include bluegill and pumpkinseed, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge and smallmouth bass. There are 3 access areas with ramps on its shore. PFBC flags it as a Best Fishing Water.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Fish managed in Blue Marsh Reservoir
PFBC sources behind Blue Marsh Reservoir: its species listing for the water, state records and planned stockings.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Ramps and access areas on Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Dry Brooks Boat Launchpaved ramp, 85 trailer spaces, dock, fishing pier, unlimited horsepower, fee; owner COE
- State Hill Boat Launch on Blue Marsh Lakepaved ramp, 85 trailer spaces, dock, unlimited horsepower, fee; owner COE
- Sheidy Road Accesspaved ramp, 80 trailer spaces, dock, unlimited horsepower; owner PFBC
Boat launches within a tow of Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Jim Dietrich Park Water Trail LandingSchuylkill River, 5 miles east
- Epler's LandingSchuylkill River, 5 miles east
- Leesport AccessSchuylkill River, 6 miles northeast
- Reading Riverfront ParkSchuylkill River, 8 miles southeast
- Peter Yarnell Park LandingSchuylkill River, 9 miles north
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
How full Blue Marsh Reservoir is
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Marsh Lake Near Bernville, Pa | 286.81 ft lake elevation | Oct 24 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 24, 2026 8:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (CWMS) reading for Blue Marsh Dam (NAVD88), recorded October 23, 2026; retrieved October 23, 2026. Values are provisional.
The keeper rules anglers follow at Blue Marsh Reservoir
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30) | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Bass (Jan. 1 to April 10, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31) | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (April 11 to June 12) | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 1 (combined species); minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Chain pickerel | 4; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye and saugeye | 6; minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 2 through Dec. 31 |
| Sunfish, crappie and other panfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Catfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrids | 2 (combined species); minimum 20 inches | Open year-round |
| American shad | 3 | Open year-round |
These Commonwealth inland waters rows cover Blue Marsh Reservoir unless a program or special regulation below says otherwise.
Listed exceptions at Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Big Bass Special Regulation (Summary page)
- Lake Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations (Summary page)
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Survey reports for Blue Marsh Reservoir
- 2016 Musky Surveys2016
- 2014 Fish Habitat Evaluation – Felled Shoreline Trees2015
- 2013 Tiger Muskellunge and Walleye Surveys2013
- 2008 Crappie Angler Opinion Survey2008
- 2006 Crappie Survey2006
- 2002 Crappie Survey2002
- 2001 Blue Marsh Reservoir2001
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
How Blue Marsh Reservoir stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Marsh Reservoir | 1,150 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Ontelaunee Lake | 9 miles northeast | 1,082 | 0 | 8 | |
| Antietam Reservoir | 10 miles east | 14 | 0 | 0 | yes |
| Carsonia Lake | 11 miles east | 7 | 0 | 3 | |
| Lakeside Quarry | 12 miles west | 9 | 1 | 0 | yes |
| Middle Creek Reservoir | 12 miles southwest | 361 | 1 | 0 |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Neighbors of Blue Marsh Reservoir
Pennsylvania lakes near Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Ontelaunee Lake9 miles northeast
- Antietam Reservoir10 miles east
- Carsonia Lake11 miles east
- Lakeside Quarry12 miles west
- Middle Creek Reservoir12 miles southwest
Minnows, worms and line near Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Indian River Marinebait and tackle shop, Bernville, 2 miles
- Tulpehocken Creek Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Reading, 6 miles
- Rick's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Reading, 7 miles
- Underdog Tacklebait and tackle shop, Reading, 7 miles
- Wyomissing Creek Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Reading, 9 miles
- Terenchin's Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Reading, 10 miles
Permitted guides near Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Blue Mountain Fishing Lakescharter, Schuylkill Haven, (570) 754-7934
- Hooked On Catfishingcharter, Highspire, (717) 304-9843
Keystone towns within reach of Blue Marsh Reservoir
- Wernersville5 miles
- Robesonia5 miles
- Whitfield5 miles
Spinning and casting reels from Piscifun for Blue Marsh Reservoir
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs of lakes and creeks by Blue Marsh Reservoir
Photo: Shakeel Alibhai, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli, CC BY 2.0
_(9390595666).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Shuvaev, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: JohnDziak, CC0 1.0
Blue Marsh Reservoir: what Keystone anglers want to know
Which Pennsylvania county holds Blue Marsh Reservoir?
Look in Pennsylvania, PFBC Southcentral Region, about 4 miles from Bernville.
How large is Blue Marsh Reservoir on PFBC maps?
1,150 acres of water.
Where can I launch a boat at Blue Marsh Reservoir?
3 ramp access areas, led by Dry Brooks Boat Launch.
Which gamefish live in Blue Marsh Reservoir?
Listings show bluegill and pumpkinseed, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, smallmouth bass and striped bass hybrid.
Which Summary rules govern Blue Marsh Reservoir?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
What does an out-of-state angler pay at Blue Marsh Reservoir?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
Do PFBC trout trucks visit Blue Marsh Reservoir?
PFBC lists no stocking here this year.
Where can I pick up nightcrawlers near Blue Marsh Reservoir?
Indian River Marine is about 2 miles from the water.
How full is Blue Marsh Reservoir today?
Check the level band: USGS and the Corps of Engineers.
Hitch the trailer for Blue Marsh Reservoir
The license page lists every Pennsylvania fee and season.