Southwestern France Lakes & Rivers Fishing Map

Environmental Code, Book IV, Title III – Freshwater fishing and management of fish resources (Legislative part L.430-1 et seq.; L.436-5 delegates fishing periods, sizes and methods to a Conseil d'État decree; regulatory part R.436-6 (1st category season), R.436-7 (2nd category), R.436-8 (additional prefectoral restrictions), R.436-13/14 (hours, night carp fishing), R.436-18 (minimum size), R.436-21 (quota), R.436-23 (number of rods/staying by the rod), R.436-31 (prohibited methods), R.436-65-x (eel), R.436-70/71 (fish pass and dam prohibitions)). Waters are classified as 1st category (predominantly salmonid) and 2nd category (predominantly cyprinid/predator); national opening and closing dates, minimum sizes and quotas are in the code, and the departmental prefect (préfet) may only tighten them. Licence: Fishing in open waters requires a 'carte de pêche' with membership of an AAPPMA + paid CPMA (Cotisation pour la pêche et les milieux aquatiques) (L.436-1; via cartedepeche.fr). For salmon/sea trout an additional 'CPMA migrateurs' (+ catch logbook/tag). The permission of the rights holder is also required. In the 1st category 1 rod (at most 2 hooks or 3 flies), in the 2nd category at most 4 rods. Competent authority: Ministère de la Transition écologique (DEB); in the departments Préfet / DDT(M); enforcement: Office français de la biodiversité (OFB).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Decree No. 2019-352 of 23 April 2019 amending provisions of the Environmental Code on freshwater fishing (2019-352 / 23.04.2019 (previous: Decree No. 2010-243 of 10.03.2010; April 2016 decree – sizes)). In the 2nd category, pike fishing is permitted from 01.01 to the last Sunday of January and from the last Saturday of April to 31.12; pike/zander size and quota provisions updated. Competent authority: Prime Minister's Office / Ministry of the Environment.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Ministerial Order of 5 February 2016 on fishing periods for European eel at the yellow and silver stages; eel catch declaration order (05.02.2016 (permanent order; periods by management unit/basin); 22.10.2010). Yellow eel fishing periods are set by the ministry per basin/management unit; silver eel and civelle (<12 cm) prohibited for recreational anglers; catch declaration mandatory. Competent authority: Ministries for freshwater fisheries and sea fisheries (joint order).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Rhône-Méditerranée and Corsica basins: EU Council Mediterranean regulations and the decree on eel fishing periods for the Mediterranean/Rhône-Méditerranée-Corsica (EU 2024/259; EU 2026/266; 14.03.2024; 06.07.2026 (JO 09.07.2026)). Recreational fishing for eel in freshwaters of the Mediterranean basin is completely prohibited. Competent authority: EU Council / French ministries.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Basin (migratory species): Basin management plans for migratory fish and prefectoral orders on salmon/sea trout fishing bans (by basin; new ban orders for 2026). Basin-based seasons, TACs and bans for salmon, sea trout, shad and lamprey. Permit: CPMA migrateurs + catch declaration (declarationpeche.fr). Competent authority: Basin coordinating prefect (préfet de bassin), DREAL, COGEPOMI.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Department (101 departments): Permanent prefectoral order on the exercise of freshwater fishing + annual opening/closing order (Annual in each department (e.g. Seine-Maritime permanent order of 13.03.2020 + 2024 annual order; Nord 2023 order)). Exact dates for the year, larger local sizes/maximum sizes (e.g. pike 60–80 cm slot in Nord), reduced quotas, réserves de pêche, night carp fishing areas, no-kill stretches, crayfish/frog seasons. Licence: Federation cartes de pêche (annual, weekly, daily, women, children) – e.g. Loire-Atlantique 2026 adult card €87–114. Competent authority: Préfet / DDT(M), after consultation with the Fédération départementale de pêche (FDAAPPMA).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

In 1st category waters, fishing for ALL species is prohibited while the trout season is closed (season: 2nd Saturday of March – 3rd Sunday of September, in 2026 14.03–20.09). A two-week extension is possible only in high mountain waters (Nord prefecture/DEB interpretation); on some lakes/reservoirs there may be a 1–3 week extension. Period: day after the 3rd Sunday of September – day before the 2nd Saturday of March (2026: 21.09.2026 – 12.03.2027).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

During the pike closed season (2026: 26.01–24.04), fishing in 2nd category waters with live fish, dead/artificial fish and artificial lures capable of catching pike other than accidentally is prohibited (R.436-33). Artificial fly (mouche) is not considered covered by the ban in most departments (e.g. Essonne). Some departments also close zander completely during this period (Charente 2026) or allow it only with a static worm (Oise, Loire-Atlantique). Some departments grant exceptions on certain lakes (Charente: on Lavaud, Mas-Chaban etc. lakes, leurre permitted from the last Sunday of January to the 2nd Friday of March). The 'ver manié' ban is not national but is in departmental decrees. Period: day after the last Sunday of January – day before the last Saturday of April (2026: 26.01–24.04).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Fishing is permitted only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Exception: 'carpe de nuit' (night carp fishing) on 2nd category stretches designated by prefectoral order. Period: 30 min after sunset – 30 min before sunrise.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Night carp fishing is permitted only on the river sections/lakes named in the prefectoral order. Carp caught at night may not be kept alive or transported (immediate release). Prefectoral orders generally impose conditions such as plant baits only (including boilies), single hook, ban on live/dead fish, worms and maggots (e.g. Pas-de-Calais, Cher, Loiret, Bas-Rhin, Nord public river domain annexes). Period: Night hours (sunset +30 min – sunrise −30 min).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

In 1st category 1 rod (max. 2 hooks or 3 artificial flies), in 2nd category max. 4 rods; rods must be near the angler (R.436-23). In ALL 1st category waters, maggots (asticot) and other fly larvae and natural/canned/mixed fish eggs are prohibited as bait (national rule; the prefecture may grant a maggot exception on some 1st category lakes). Pike, zander, trout, black-bass and eel below the minimum size may not be used as bait; species on the R.432-5 list (poisson-chat, perche-soleil, non-native crayfish) may not be released into water or used as bait. Hand capture, explosives/electricity/poison prohibited. Treble hook ban is a departmental decision. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Daily quota: in the 2nd category pike+zander+black bass 3 fish in total, of which at most 2 pike; for salmonids 6 fish per person/day (the prefecture may lower this, e.g. Nord 4, Seine-Maritime 5; in Nord a single predator in the 2nd category). Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Seine-Maritime (example): consumption and transport of all species caught in the Seine prohibited (pollution); consumption/possession of eel prohibited throughout the department, release mandatory. In 1st category, wading prohibited 09.03–30.04. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Fishing prohibited from dams, weirs (chaussée) and canal locks (écluse) and for 50 m downstream of them; only fishing with a single rod is permitted (200 m for nets/engins in Charente). Some departments also prohibit the single rod between 01.04–30.06 (Charente public river). Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Species on the R.432-5 list 'likely to cause biological imbalances' (poisson-chat, perche-soleil, American/Louisiana/signal crayfish etc.) may not be returned to the water or released into other waters; transporting live Louisiana crayfish requires authorisation. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Transporting live carp larger than 60 cm is prohibited (Charente 2026: €22 500 fine). Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): fishing prohibited.

The table in our records

Closed season

All year

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta): fishing prohibited.

The table in our records

Closed season

All year

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Sea and river lamprey (lamproie) (Petromyzon marinus, Lampetra fluviatilis): fishing prohibited.

The table in our records

Closed season

All year

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Eel – silver stage and glass eel (Anguilla anguilla (silver stage, glass eel <12 cm)): fishing prohibited.

The table in our records

Closed season

All year

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →