- Size
- 1,121 acres as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
Sheidy Road access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.41242, -76.08680 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Dry Brooks Boat Launch
Ramp · paved ramp, pier, dock
40.38489, -76.03253 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
State Hill Boat Launch
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
40.36903, -76.04387 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check Corps of Engineers lake page before you go.
About Blue Marsh Lake
Blue Marsh Lake is number 86 on the LakePA 100: a 1,121-acre reservoir in Berks County, in our Southeast region. You may also see it called Blue Marsh Reservoir. The acreage comes from the Corps of Engineers lake page. It counts toward the Big Water tier, which means wind and long crossings can matter on a paddle here. There is no motor limit, so expect powerboats and their wakes. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data. There are three put-ins on our list for this lake, among them Sheidy Road access area, Dry Brooks Boat Launch and State Hill Boat Launch. Sheidy Road access area has a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. Logging it moves you toward the Southeast region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 6 miles from Reading. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Blue Marsh Lake
Where do I put in at Blue Marsh Lake?
Blue Marsh Lake has three listed put-ins: Sheidy Road access area, Dry Brooks Boat Launch, State Hill Boat Launch. Sheidy Road access area is at 40.41242, -76.08680 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Blue Marsh Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Blue Marsh Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Blue Marsh Lake?
1,121 acres, as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page.
Sources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Blue Marsh Dam, PA00921) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.6 — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
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