River fishing in Southern France Whether you just want a days fishing, or mean to go out every day for two weeks, most of the areas that we cover in France offer interesting fishing at for relatively little cost. For fly-fishing, trout or grayling, we would recommend the river La Sorgues in Provence, or the upper reaches of the Dordogne River, or the wonderful mountain rivers of the Pyrenées Atlantiques. Of course you can also fish with a fly for Black Bass on the sultry waters of the river Lot, and Shad on the western part of the Dordogne river and the rivers of the Charente Maritime. Some of the best fishing in France is the coarse fishing and you are spoilt for choice in most departments in France but notably in the Dordogne, the Charente Maritime, Les Landes and the Lot, where there are plentiful stocks of Catfish, Pike, and Carp as well as many other fish.

There are also opportunities to go sea fishing off the coast of the Charente Maritime, Les Landes and the Pyrenées Atlantiques.

FISHING PERMITS

The River Lot Remember to check the fishing seasons for the fish in which you are interested and don't forget to buy a fishing permit or 'Carte de Pêche'. Rivers and ponds in France are divided into 1st and 2nd Category (1er et 2eme Categorie) waters. The principal distinction is that on 1st Category waters you need to have an extra stamp on your permit, mainly in order to fish for trout and the other salmonides. This distinction is rendered irrelevant by the holiday fishing permit (Carte de Pêche de Vacances), which covers all types of fish and both categories of water. Rivers are patrolled by gendarmes and by guardians de pêche to ensure that anglers have one.

The Carte de Pêche de Vacances covers you for 15 consecutive days and currently costs about 28 euros and can be used between 1st June and 30th November. After 30th November and before 1st June an annual fishing permit is obligatory. Permits are usually sold in nearby cafes, bars, the local post office and, of course, in tackle shops.

REGIONS

We have concentrated in the following regions covered by French Affair. In each of these we are able to reserve a day or an afternoon out with a local fishing guide when you book your French Affair house, provided that you give us enough notice.

FISHING GUIDES AND SEASONS

Most rivers lakes and ponds in France are open to the public provided that they have a fishing permit. Water is divided into two categories and 1st and 2nd and fishing seasons for the different species vary from department to department and vary depending on the category of water.

Select a region for more information:

Fishing in the Charente Maritime
Fishing on the Dordogne
Fishing on the Lot
Fishing in Les Landes
Fishing in Provence
Fishing in the Southern Atlantic Coast & Pyrenées Atlantique (Pays Basque and Béarn)