Also, during a survey conducted to determine crappie populations in this popular Berks County lake, personnel collected good numbers of channel cats up to 29 inches long.

A federal flood-control lake, Blue Marsh has no horsepower restrictions, so it would be best to target catfish during non-peak boating times.

Catfishing is not limited to the lake proper. The basin below the lake contains channel cats, as does Tulpehocken Creek.

Boat launches include Sheidy, Dry Brooks and State Hill. For additional information on Blue Marsh Lake, interested anglers can call (610) 376-6337.

DELAWARE RIVER
The Delaware River, particularly the lower (tidal) portion of the river, offers excellent channel catfishing opportunities.

When the Fish and Boat Commission participated in a multi-agency creel survey in 2002, it found that over 58,000 channel cats where caught during the survey period. Only about 17 percent of those fish were harvested. Boat anglers took most of the channel cats.

Boat access on the lower Delaware includes launches at Marcus Hook and Chester City.

SCHUYLKILL RIVER
A major tributary to the Delaware, the Schuylkill River features a good, though perhaps changing, catfish fishery. Flatheads were discovered in the Schuylkill when the PFBC surveyed the Valley Forge National Park section during fall surveys in 2004 and '05. Along with the flatheads were good numbers of channel cats up to 30 inches. The flatheads topped off at 36 inches.

Though the flatheads represent another large predator for anglers to target, the species may be impacting other populations. During the recent surveys, bluegill and smallmouth bass numbers were well below historic numbers.

Shore fishing and boat fishing are both good options within Valley Forge National Park. Shore-anglers may gain access to good habitat along the west bank from a parking area near Valley Creek in Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Boat anglers may use the National Park Service access area on the north side of the Betzwood Bridge. Foot access is also available adjacent to the Pawlings Road bridge.

For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Call (717) 705-7800, or try the agency's Web site at www.fish.state.pa.us/dir.