Blue Marsh Lake

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The Philadelphia District manages the extensive recreational opportunities at Blue Marsh Lake. The project offers the public many varied activities including swimming, fishing, boating (unlimited horsepower), sailing, cross-country and water skiing, hunting, hiking, bird-watching and picnicking.
Three boat launch ramps, showers and restrooms, picnic pavilions (available as rentals) and picnic areas with charcoal grills are available. A refreshment stand is open in season. Sixteen miles of hiking trails and several nature trails invite visitors to the project, to enjoy the beauty of the Berks County countryside.
A Visitor Center provides area historical and project information and offers an outstanding panorama of the dam, lake and recreational areas.
Nearly one quarter of Blue Marsh's 6200 acres is forest or woodlands, with red and white oak trees predominating.
Other species are black and chestnut oak, hickory, beech, tulip-poplar, dogwood, chokecherry, white ash, black cherry, black locust, sassafras and red maple
Deer, cottontail rabbit, ruffed grouse (occasional), pheasant, woodcock and other game inhabit the area. Blue Marsh is located on a flyway, and many migratory waterfowl are evident: osprey, great blue heron and egrets frequently appear in spring and summer, some remaining throughout the year.
Approximately 2500 acres in the project are leased to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for wildlife management, and the Pennsylvania Fish Commission conducts fisheries management at the lake, periodically stocking it with game fish.
The stilling basin just downstream of the dam is a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts and also is the starting point of the project's hiking trail.
Blue Marsh Lake is a popular recreation attraction in all seasons. Detailed information on the recreational opportunities it offers is available at the Ranger Station or project Administration Building.