MARSH CREEK STATE PARK 450 450 N Road M U O 550 R O 500 450 E R PA Turnpikes E to Pottstown R to 400 O Ro Philadelphia 500 a 100 to Morgantown & I-176, H D N 76

Best Fishing and Boating in PA State Parks Marsh Creek by Carl Haensel State Park photo-Carl Haensel

Families looking for a great place to lack of recreational opportunities for partnered with the Commission to fi sh and boat in southeast Pennsylva- nearby population centers were cited enhance the lake’s fi sh habitat. They nia are in luck when they visit Marsh as problems in the watershed that conduct tournaments each season on Creek State Park. Located in the prompted the lake’s construction. the lake that target largemouth bass, rolling hills of northcentral Chester some of which are open to the public. County, this 1,705-acre park contains Fishing While the bass do receive a good the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which Anglers visit Marsh Creek for many amount of fi shing pressure and can is great for fi shing, paddling and sail- reasons. The lake produces excellent be fi nicky at times, look to this lake to ing. The park is about 2 miles west of fi shing for many warmwater species. consistently produce some nice bass. the village of Eagle on PA Route 100. Some anglers target the lake’s large- The lake is designated a Big Bass lake Marsh Creek Lake was developed to mouth bass, others go for the panfi sh, and specifi c regulations apply. Check help manage the water resources in and still others pursue muskellunge. the Pennsylvania Fishing Summary. A the Brandywine Creek Watershed, The Marsh Creek Bass Club makes variety of locations around the lake which drains 330 square miles, most this lake its home, which is a testa- consistently produce quality fi sh, and of which are in Chester County. Fre- ment to the lake’s productivity as a anglers need to be fl exible and cover quent fl ooding, water shortages and largemouth bass lake. The club has a bit of water to learn the best spots. (article continued on page 34) www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 31 To Norristown & To Park Road At PA 100, (Exit 312) Eagle, 1.1 Mi. & To Little Conestoga Road To PA 100, PA 100, 1.2 Mi. N at Eagle, 0.6 Mi. & 1.6 Mi. PA 100, 0.7 Mi. MARSH CREEK STATE PARK 450 450 n Road M u o 550 R o 500 450 e r PA TURNPIKEs e To Pottstown r To 400 o Ro Philadelphia 500 a 100 To Morgantown & I-176, H d N 76

k d 133 (Exit 298), 10 Mi. c R EAGLE a Conestoga Rd. l a To West 76 B g 100 sto Chester To Morgantown ne LIONVILLE Co 76 Mo Little 450 d o k re for ar R Rd. Little P d. d R . oad Mil

500 To Lionville, C . Marsh ha d C Road l R re f 2.5 Mi. e o l k 450 nt l

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450 Milford Gate

500 450 500 400 www.fish.state.pa.us Styer Hunting Season Only 550 Park Office Sledding Area Blue Symbols Boat Launch Mean Accessible Boat Rental

Public Phone D Stable Mooring or To Loags Restrooms lan Corner, 4 Mi. Equestrian Trail Snack Bar Hiking Trail C Picnic Area o L n it Parking EAST LAUNCH es tl to e Playground Mil ga Unpaved Road MARSH Mooring R l oa Swimming Pool 400 d State Park No Hunting CREEK Showerhouse/

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400 a 450 CONTOURS ARE ON 50 FT. INTERVALS d Ch alf ont Road 500 Road 350

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400 C 400 reek 400 500 450 350 350 To Downingtown, 2.5 Mi. 300 reek East C 282 ne Bra d wi nch a dy 300 282 B o B ran randyw R ast ranch B To 125 0 125 250 METERS ine E Creek 350 Glenmore, Map courtesy of the Pennsylvania 3 Mi. 450 North Reeds Road Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 400 l 500 0 500 1000 FEET 400 l e 450

d 350 n Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 350 www.fi sh.state.pa.us y 32 L To PA 282 www.fi sh.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 33 To US 322 To PA 282 400 Remember to charge your trolling motor batteries and maybe even bring a spare if you’re planning to cover a lot of water on this lake, since the lake does not allow use of gasoline-pow- ered motors. Panfi sh anglers guard their secrets, and more than one crappie angler likes to think of this lake as his or her secret spot. Good numbers of nice sized-crappies can be caught at Marsh Creek, if you just fi nd the right place. Anglers in springtime should fi sh the lake’s upper, shallower end and look for submerged brush. If one spot doesn’t produce fi sh for you, keep moving until you fi nd the one that does. Anglers also regularly re- photo-Art Michaels photo-Art port catching nice-sized bluegills and Anglers regularly report catching nice-sized bluegills and some big yellow perch. some big yellow perch from the lake. Above, Commission biologists survey some of Marsh Creek Lake’s bounty, in- Ice fi shing can be productive for pan- cluding many yellow perch like the one shown. fi sh if there is enough safe ice. Perch are a common quarry for hard-water There are ample opportunities to Abundant wildlife-viewing op- anglers here. fi sh near both the east and west boat portunities can be found here for the Anglers looking to tangle with launches for families that would like willing paddler. A boat rental conces- Pennsylvania’s toothiest critter should to picnic as well as fi sh. Good loca- sion located at the East Launch of- make Marsh Creek Lake one of their tions to target panfi sh can be found fers rowboats, canoes and sailboats top destinations. Fishing for tiger along Chalfont Road and near the throughout the summer and, weather muskellunge has been hot in recent Little Conestoga Road Bridge. Watch permitting, on weekends during the years, and the local chapter of Muskies, these areas in the early spring for an- spring and autumn. Call 610-458- Inc., plans to make it even better by gler activity. Early warm weather can 5040 for information regarding these partnering with the Commission to bring some of the best shore fi shing opportunities. stock additional muskellunge. Last of the season to these spots. For the season the club released 500 purebred more adventurous shore angler, use Carl Haensel is the Fish & Boat Com- muskellunge into Marsh Creek Lake, the trail that runs along the lake’s west mission’s Southeast Region aquatic re- and it plans to continue augmenting shore between these two locations to sources program specialist. the lake’s Commission stockings. reach some submerged brush loca- While Marsh Creek has plenty of tions for crappies and bluegills. More Information muskellunge in the water, they won’t Visit the offi cial park web site for necessarily always jump in the boat Boating additional information on current for you. As with any musky fi shing Boaters are restricted to electric regulations, maps and park infor- trip, be prepared to cover a lot of wa- motors only at this park, which makes mation: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ ter and do a lot of casting. it a beautiful sailing and paddling des- stateparks/parks/marshcreek. Beginning in 2007 Marsh Creek tination. The lake has two boat launch aspx. Lake will be stocked annually with areas and 220 seasonal mooring slips. Looking to stay in the area? tiger muskellunge by the Commis- The lake is especially popular with There is no overnight camping at sion, which should result in more ti- sailboaters and sailboarders. Park- Marsh Creek State Park. Within ger muskellunge stocked on a reliable approved sailboat races draw specta- one mile of the park is a privately basis. tors who enjoy the water activity from owned campground on PA Route the lakeshore. Paddlers should take 282. French Creek State Park is 20 Shore fi shing the time to get away from the lake’s miles to the north and has year- Shore fi shing opportunities are launches on its east side and explore round camping. Contact the Marsh excellent for panfi sh in many areas. the many coves, nooks and crannies. Creek State Park offi ce at 610-458- 5119 with questions.—CH.

34 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 www.ﬁ sh.state.pa.us