Blue Marsh

[Spider]

Took a road trip the other day with my map and camera to Blue Marsh to locate a few spots to try. I used to fish the one area from a boat but that was at least 15 years ago. It grew in really bad and I had a hard time finding the spot but did. Turns out the old road is now no more that a paved path but leads to a nice little cove off the main channel. The other spot is right off 183 and the leg branches into a fork. At least one fork goes way back to a feeder creek but is not accessable from shore. Still the area that is may be decent fishing.
I'm planning on trying one of these spots for daytime fishing and one for nights. I think tomorow (Friday the 25th) will be my day trip. I have nothing else to do anyway.
Here is a picture of both areas. What do you think from what you can see?

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/Spider00701/P7211997.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/Spider00701/P7212001.jpg

[Skammer]

Looks like it has some promise! Good luck!

[Spider]

Tried the spot in the second photo. This location is just north of the RT. 183 bridge that runs over the lake's one leg. The weather wasn't the best nor the time for catfishing. It was sunny and hot and I fished from about 1:00PM to 5:00PM. Had pretty many bites using chicken liver but nothing real great. I did have two that spun the reel clicker, but of course I wasn't paying attention. I did manage to cat a small cat and a carp.
Next trip there will be for some night fishing in the first photo spot (as long as the available space isn't occupied.

[Scott LEmons]

Both spots look good... do fish mostly from shore.

I took my son out to Hopewell Lake this weekend... got skunkd on cats, but caught three nice bass.

[great pappy cat]

I tested my new boat on blue marsh.First time i had seen it, supposed to be flattys in it.Try some live bait at night and see what happens. Im curiouse. I will be out that way to try sooner or later

[brother hilljack]

Looks like some great fishing holes, let us know how it turns out

[Spider]

Went out today to the spot in the first photo. It's a small cove off the main channel of the lake (northern end in No Wake section). Anyway, I've fished both locations in the daytime and at least I didn't get skunked. Today neted a Stripped Bass and a Channel Cat. Both were pretty small but at least better than catching nothing. Hard to tell if it's the location or the weather or the time of day. I fished from 1:00PM to 5:00PM and it was sunny and close to 90 degrees. Chicken liver and Nightcrawlers were with me for bait but I only hard bites with the liver.
I suppose the next step is to get there and try both of these areas at night. Don't know when that will happen but when I can get out.
Overall, today was not bad, I had a good time and that's what counts.

[Scott LEmons]

Nighttime might be the ticket. i have been thinking going out there to give it a try. I was out there a couple weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon it was too busy for me.

I like the piece and quiet as much as the fish.

Have you tried Strobel Lake in Morgantown, the guys in the bait shop by Blue Marsh said it has a good number of cats, may try that this weekend.

[Spider]

Nighttime might be the ticket. i have been thinking going out there to give it a try. I was out there a couple weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon it was too busy for me.

I like the piece and quiet as much as the fish.

Have you tried Strobel Lake in Morgantown, the guys in the bait shop by Blue Marsh said it has a good number of cats, may try that this weekend.

Yeah, weekends are a bit nuts at Blue Marsh. Not too bad if you get some places in the No Wake areas. I no longer have a boat so I only need to deal with them from shore.
Where is Strobel Lake? I can't seem to recall ever hearing about it but then my memory ain't what it was 20 years ago.

[great pappy cat]

Do you guys know of a boat launch I can leave my truck trailer at all night? The only one I know of is the dry brooks boat launch and that one said day use only.

[Blacky]

I tested my new boat on blue marsh.First time i had seen it, supposed to be flattys in it.Try some live bait at night and see what happens. Im curiouse. I will be out that way to try sooner or later

Current state record comes from there.

[Spider]

Do you guys know of a boat launch I can leave my truck trailer at all night? The only one I know of is the dry brooks boat launch and that one said day use only.

Hi: There is the Sheidy Boat Ramp, alone 183 near Bernville. This ramp is at the upper end of the No Wake area so it's a rather long haul to the Unlimited Area. This is where I used to put in when I had my boat but I generally didn't go to the unlimited area.
Here's a web site with info and a phone number. If nothing else, they should be able to help you. I'm thinking that one of the other ramps must be opened at night because they have night cat tournaments once in awhile.
Anyway, here's the link: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/sb/bm_guide.htm
Phone: 610-376-6337

[great pappy cat]

they have night cat tournaments once in awhile.

Let me know when there is goin to be a tournament. Very interested, thank you

[Scott LEmons]

Spider

The guy at the bait shop told me follow RT 23 from Rt 100 toward Morgantown. When you get to morgantown road make a left and follow it over the mountain to the lake.

I looked at it on google earth and it looks like it has some good places to bank fish, I am going to scout it out this weekend. i will let you know what i find

[Scott LEmons]

Strobel Lake is just outside of Morgantown. Take 23 into Morgantown, turn at the Sheetz that road will run into Morgantown RD turn left and follow it about 3-4 miles to the lake.

Depending on which way you come from, you can only turn onway at Sheetz, the lake is in between Morgantown and Honeybrook. I was out there 2 nights ago, right after it rained it seemed pretty stirred up.

Let me know how you do if you go out for a look.

[Spider]

I'll be watching for some kind of a report on Strobel Lake. It woul be nice to know ahead of time what the conditions would be for shore fishing. Is it easily accessable fishing from shore? What kind of water conditions are there (depth, structure), is it grown in with weeds, general bottom makeup?
Basically, what is it like and was anything caught?
Thanks,
Larry

[FTL6]

I fish the marsh alot and leave my boat at all three launches at night. I only fish at night.As long as you pay the $3.00 fee at dry brooks and state hill and display the tag you should be fine. The launch on rt.183 is free,but it has no lights at the dock and only a job johnny for a pisser. I use that one the most cause there are alot of coves and falling trees. I'm not sure but I'm starting to think to get into the flats you need to fish the main body since they are getting most of them from the spillway.Good luck!

CPR!!!!!!!

[FTL6]

As far as I know there has not been a toury there in a couple years.I've been in all them that I know of.I think there was a insurance problem,liability.The Berks Bassmasters had the last couple and the turn out was not real good.

[Spider]

During this week I spent two afternoons at a small cove shore fishing. Not much to talk about. Fish were biting one day pretty good but only one real good take and I missed that one. Today another gentleman caught a couple small fish but the weather turned not too good and it was very windy. I had nothing the two days there.
I think I'm Jinxed! :confused2: Oh well, Same As It Ever Was.

[readingcatfisher]

I fish Blue Marsh quite a bit caught some nice channels across from the horse trailer parking lot 30" 25" 28" nice cats lots of bugs biting too pack the spray
(Church rd.)

[readingcatfisher]

ever fish Kernsville dam? I tried but had no luck was during the day only caught some big yellow perch good bait huh? what all species of fish are in there if you have any info on it

[lendog]

i fish blue marsh quite often and also alot of nite fishing there, i put in at dry brooks mostly to fish the main lake which can be busy durring the day with jet ski'ers, also if u use the shiedys ramp in the no wake zone at nite make sure u watch out for stumps and other crap in the water
i haven't been to kernsville dam in a couple yrs. but when i went it was always early in the morning, but heard of some nice musky gettin pulled out, kersher creek is only right up the road from there give that a shot, also landingville is just 15 mins. from cabelas up rt.61 toward deer lake, that is also a good spot. i've been seein alot of people wading in lake ontalaunee off rt. 73 lately also.

[readingcatfisher]

i fish blue marsh quite often and also alot of nite fishing there, i put in at dry brooks mostly to fish the main lake which can be busy durring the day with jet ski'ers, also if u use the shiedys ramp in the no wake zone at nite make sure u watch out for stumps and other crap in the water
i haven't been to kernsville dam in a couple yrs. but when i went it was always early in the morning, but heard of some nice musky gettin pulled out, kersher creek is only right up the road from there give that a shot, also landingville is just 15 mins. from cabelas up rt.61 toward deer lake, that is also a good spot. i've been seein alot of people wading in lake ontalaunee off rt. 73 lately also.sorry lenny I fish off the banks I could've had a few boats but I think I'm gonna look at a canoe to get to some local spots on the schuylkill no motor boats allowed at kernsville any more I've been nailin some nice channels down near birdsboro

[Spider]

ever fish Kernsville dam? I tried but had no luck was during the day only caught some big yellow perch good bait huh? what all species of fish are in there if you have any info on it

I fish there from time to time (it's only 5 minutes away). I haven't caught anything to speak of this year. I only fished there during the day though.
There has got to be some nice channel in there. I've heard of muskie being caught below the falls and in the little eddie down from the falls but I haven't personally seen any caught. Years ago I did see two young guys walking downthe road to get back to thier car carrying a stringer with two really big walleye. Never caught any of them thee either. About my best has been a channel about 5 or 6 pound and an 18" smallmouth.
I have, over the years, managed to catch a ton of rocks and leave a great deal of tackle in there. Two years ago, I lost a rod/reel at a loss of over $150 (probablt the cause of a carp). There are bunches of them in there. It's been too hot and the water is too low and warm even below the falls. The falls generally help cool the water and make for decent fishing but not this year.

[lendog]

i hear ya, i haven't been to kernville dam in a couple yrs. i used to wade over to the island or downed tree or what ever that island was made of and cast creek chubs in there and never caught anything but have seen a musky along the edge sunning, and heard alot of stories, i have never fished after dark there but heard there used to be problems with people breakin into cars, but that was a few yrs ago. i'm just waitin for a good rain to bring up the water level and turn on the bite, this hot weather seems to of shut everything down(atleast for me)

[readingcatfisher]

Iheard that lenny it is slow goin for me too we need rain bad soon when the rain comes and cooler temps the cats will start hunting and I and everyone else will be ready

[Spider]

Iheard that lenny it is slow goin for me too we need rain bad soon when the rain comes and cooler temps the cats will start hunting and I and everyone else will be ready

I've fished up below the dam many times. I've caught some decent cats up there but never anything more than about 5#. Lately, it pretty much sucks. Very little water running over the dam and the geese are even walking around the top of the breast. I never saw that before. The river sucks too, it WAY too shallow. Ther are some nice holes but these are pretty much inaccessable from shore and remotly located. I used to like these when we went down with a canoe. That hasn't happened for years, my back cannot take it any longer.

[readingcatfisher]

when they lower blue marsh for the winter the bite should pick up I know in april the striper hybrids and channel cats were nailing chicken livers and shrimp I'm guessin when the level is lowered the fish congregate more and bingo better fishing at blue marsh

[readingcatfisher]

has anyone fished at Blue marsh lately? I've been hittin the Schuylkill Lately but I'm ready to try a few spots I know at the Marsh soon

[readingcatfisher]

I'm ready to give it a shot now the Skuke been giving me small ones so I'm gonna try the Marsh tomorrow morning see what happens with some shrimp and livers report tomorrow afternoon

[readingcatfisher]

Skunkorama 4and a half hours and not so much as a nibble Blue Marsh isn't ready yet like I said in my earlier post after they lower it but a guy this morning told me they are holding off on lowering the level due to the mild weather for the boaters so back to the Schuylkill River where I belong

[lendog]

sounds like i'm not missing anything at the marsh then, i haven't been there in a couple months and was thinkin of checkin out the spillway but i'm sure it's low and sux so i might as well stay home, maybe i'll check out kernsville dam and see how that looks

[readingcatfisher]

You'd be better off I think there are some monster carp up there Lenny I'm heading back to my favorite spot at angelica creek at the Skuke early tomorrow morning hopefully I can get at least one point channel cat last time I was there I only got 2 5 pounders but still better than 4 hour tour with no bites right :wink: good luck all keep those lines wet!!!!!

[wetflyguy]

Hey all,

I am fairly new to the forum, not to cat and carp fishin.
Been looking Blue Marsh over,lots of coves to check out!
I usually fish the Skuke Hamburg area and north.

Wet

[lendog]

welcome to the site wet, i seen your post that u were at landingville, i usually fish there a couple times a yr. in the spring before it gets choked up with lilly's and weeds, and blue marsh several times(too much in fact), i have caught a few channels in there but haven't really looked for any flatheads, i usually hit the river for flatheads below springcity, lots of good info on this site and people always willing to give pointers, also fish kercher creek and kernsville dam once in a while, have u ever tried any sunnies for bait when fishin in the river around hamburg?

[wetflyguy]

I fished Blue Marsh today,back side of the dam.
Some Channels on chubs not much else going on.
Will be in Erie doing Steelhead the next three days.
Want to hit the Skuke and the BlueMarsh in the morning
this weekend and next week.
No never tried sunnys around Hamburg.
What size sunnys?
Any of you guys fish the Bertalet fishing dock in West Reading?


Wet

[readingcatfisher]

I fished Blue Marsh today,back side of the dam.
Some Channels on chubs not much else going on.
Will be in Erie doing Steelhead the next three days.
Want to hit the Skuke and the BlueMarsh in the morning
this weekend and next week.
No never tried sunnys around Hamburg.
What size sunnys?
Any of you guys fish the Bertalet fishing dock in West Reading?


Wet
never fished the dock but my father in law did he said just caught little cats there I fish Blue marsh sometimes I think it gets fished out people take everything and never release anything. I've caught some fat carp there and a few decent channels in April but nothing good since then .I stick to the skuke myself but I mainly try for channels because I don't have the gear for flats plus I have a heart condition too so I kinda take it easy

[lendog]

i'd start off with smaller sunnies 4-6 inch or even try cuttin them in half that also works, last nite my buddy and i were at the river and started to run out of sunnies so we started cuttin them in half and caught channels and flats on cut bait, if your using live sunnies i hook them thru the tail section with about 2 oz of weight depending on current, the best time for live bait seems to be right at dark, we were out early yesterday and no action until after 6:30 pm, jim have u ever tried usin any sunnies around angelica?

[wetflyguy]

:wink:ReadingCat shoot me an e-mail,maybe we can hook up.
I was at SweetArrow for a few hours today after work.
Picked up two channels 19" and 21" also a 30" carp
Funny thing ,I was targeting carp got the Cats on corn.

Wet

[lendog]

wet, a good site to get local reports around our area is www.epfr.net (http://www.epfr.net) has lots of info of local lakes/streams/river a few of us from this site also check out that site

[readingcatfisher]

Maybe soon time to try fishing at the Marsh again and see if the action has picked up at all

[readingcatfisher]

well now I heard they have dropped it down to winter level so the channel bite may have picked up in a few of my secret areas I have to sneek in and check it out one morning:wink:

[readingcatfisher]

maybe after my new gear comes in

[wetflyguy]

My next trip out will be monday morning.
Looking at the State hill boat launch area
at Blue Marsh.

Wet

[lendog]

i know after today the temps are gonna drop, gonna feel like winter next week and with wind:sad2:, i didn't park the boat yet but it doesn't look good
good luck if ya make it out monday, sounds like the stripers are hittin

[readingcatfisher]

stripers usually hit at my spots up there too but small ones mostly

[finster31]

I went out today on my fathers boat and the wind was blowing. White caps out on the main lake.we went up to the fox lake area to get out of the wind. We were using live minnows. We didn't get a bite. bobbers, drop shot, free swimming nothing!!!!! That place is a toilet. Lots of peolpe out though. Then we got cought in the rain. All in all a day on the water is a good day.

[readingcatfisher]

Thanks John you just saved me a trip up there I am just gonna head down there next weekend so I can test out my new gear hopefully I catch some fish to really test it:wink:

[readingcatfisher]

anyone have any luck at blue marsh at all lately?

[readingcatfisher]

Has anyone tried Blue Marsh in a while?:0a28:

[kenlaw76]

If I had a boat I would be there every once in a while. It should be easier to find Flatheads now.

[lendog]

how would it be easier to find them in the lake? that lake doesn't have any structure and covers alot of area, and wouldn't the flattys have lock jaw in this cold water. the lake does have some 40 ft sections but these are near the dam and a small channel in the main lake, if they are in deeper water thats about the only area i would think they are. i've fished that crap hole alot and ran the boat across every square inch of it, that lake is known to be tough, i've caught some decent bass but not consistantly, even entered a few tourneys this past year, alot of times 1 or 2 bass with a total weight of 3 or 4 lbs. would win and thats with 30+ boats entering, not a good ratio, its strange that ya don't hear about more flatheads being caught out of there considering the record came out of there, one thing that lake does have is bait fish (alwifes)

[readingcatfisher]

I can back Lenny up on that Ken that lake is a toilet I have caught some decent channels and carp outta there but not really much structure I would think in spring before they raise it back up might be a chance to get a flatty