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Top 10 Places to Fish in France
To celebrate Bastille Day, we here at Angling Direct thought we would go through some of the must-fish places in France. With over 83 different species of fish to target in French waters amongst the 500,000 km of brooks, 15,000 km rivers and hundreds of ponds and lakes in addition to sea fishing at the Atlantic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, it is no wonder France is an angling hotspot.
For anyone wishing to plan a little fishing holiday, this guide might just help you discover the venue of your dreams.
Before you head off to any of the following venues, make sure you check to have either a valid fishing rod license or a permit for legal freshwater fishing in France. For more information on permits and licenses for fishing, check the official website, here.
The good news is, a fishing license or permit for sea fishing is not required in France which is great news for fans of sea bass fishing along the Atlantic coast.
TOP PLACES TO FISH IN FRANCE
1). River Meuse, Northern France
Image Provided by Ade Kiddell
Species: Roach, carp, pike-perch, pike and catfish.
The Meuse is a fantastic river which holds some huge fish of all sorts of species. It is easily accessible along almost its entire length, all that is required is a French fishing license (Carte de Peche). Some recommended stretches of the river from the angler, Ade Kiddell, can be found in the towns of Montherme, Revin, Fumay and Givet. There are plenty of backwaters and numerous creeks that are ideal for whitebait or carp.
View more information, here.
As a favourite French venue of Angling Direct's Ade Kiddell, you can read more on his fishing ventures on the River Meuse, here.
2). River Seine, Paris
Species: Carp, trout, perch, zander, pike & catfish.
France’s third-longest river, the River Seine measures 780 kilometres long, 13km of which travels through Paris, offering many fishing canals and stretches that urban, street fishing anglers cannot get enough of. With a very large variety of fish of very large subjects that can exceed 2 meters, there are few venues that you can catch a trophy fish with the backdrop of landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Concorde or Notre Dame.
View more information, here.
3). River Somme & Somme Valley
Species: Tench, zander, trout, pike and carp.
Often referred to as a Paradise for anglers, the River Somme boasts over 900 km of waterways which leads to Somme Valley which is a lake that angling enthusiasts are bound to enjoy, especially those on the lookout for some predator angling. Whether you like coarse, still fishing, or fly fishing, the Somme waterways offer a little something for every angler.
View more information, here.
4). Lac des Vieilles Forges, North-eastern France
Image Provided by Ade Kiddell
Species: Mirror Carp & Catfish.
France has many public lakes, but one lake worth checking out is the Lac des Vieilles Forges. Holding huge carp along with plenty of other fish species, this lake is often somewhere that people swim, sail, fish, etc and is free to fish. The lake is shallow with approximately 7 meters not far from the structure and an average of close to 3 meters.
View more information, here.
5). Dream Lakes, Champagne
Species: Carp & Catfish
Located just outside of the small town of Orconte, in the Champagne region of France, the Dream Lakes venue offers mature, peaceful lakes that are perfect for the carp and specialist angler. There are many gravel pits at this venue to create the balance between a relaxing fishing holiday and the excitement of catching some specimen fish.
View more information, here.
6). Cretelakes, Northern France
Species: Specimen Carp & Coarse Fish
Offering 5 beautiful lakes on its 130-acre venue, Cretelakes boasts former gravel pits that were dug around the mid-1970s is well stocked with carp and other coarse fish. The venue is the ideal carp fishing holiday complex with specimens often reaching 50lbs, 60lbs and 70lbs!
View more information, here.
7). Abbey Lakes, Northern France
Species: Carp
The ideal venue for a carp fishing holiday, Abbey lakes have been offering a haven for carp anglers since 1999. The site boasts a restaurant, food packages for its guests as well as a clubhouse with a licences bar to really help you enjoy your long stay. With 6 lakes available, Fox lake is one of the top choices for breaking your personal best carp record as it stocks many 40lb+ carp.
View more information, here.
8). Gigantica Lakes, Dodinicourt
Species: Specimen Mirror Carp, Leather Carp and Common Carp.
With an abundant amount of carp in both its lakes at the complex, it is no wonder the venue is called; Gigantica. Suited to the serious carp angler, this venue is a great place to land a 60lbs plus specimen with a limit to the number of anglers fishing at any given time to 12 to increase your chances.
View more information, here.
9). Brittany Coast, Northern France
Species: Grey Mullet, Sea Bass & Flatfish
Perfect for beach and rock fishing, the Brittany coast can be a challenge for new beach anglers so hiring a boat for deeper sea fishing is advised. Sea fishing by boat can land you some great grey mullet and sea bass.
View more information, here.
10). Normandy Coastline, North-west France
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