Fishing in the Charente Maritime

The Charente Maritime is a large department and offers many different sorts of fishing. Those keen on river fishing will be attracted to the channels and tributaries which drain the Charente wetlands into the large Charente river, and where fishing is almost always authorised.

We suggest that at least to begin with you will benefit from a local fishing guide. You'll need a fishing permit which can be purchased in any Tabac shop (newsagent in France).

RIVER FISHING

La Sèvre Niortaise, in the north of the department is the main river, winding through the Marais Poitevin, also called Venise Verte. It is a slow, deep river, known for its eel, white fish and carnivores.

In the centre of the Charente Maritime, the River Charente is tidal for some distance inland and is a good habitat for large specimens of carps, pikeperch and pike. There are also breams, roachs and bleaks. Mullet come in from the sea. In May and June shad swim up river to breed.

The River Boutonne, close by St Jean d'Angély is classified as a 1st category river, and provides good fishing in the spring but not is not recommended in summer.

On the west side of the department, on the River Seudre and the many canals of the coastal wetlands of Rochefort, Marennes and the Gironde estuary there are many ideal places for fishing, especially for crayfish. In the south of the department the river is very clear and is well known for its pike and the beauty of its confluence with the Charente.

Check the fishing seasons shown below for the type of fishing in which you are interested.

The French Affair houses most conveniently placed for these rivers are:

The Sévre Niortaise: 224, 229, 244,245,243
The Charente: 239, 237
The Boutonne: 237
The Seudre: 239

SEA FISHING

The sea fishing off La Rochelle, Ile de Ré, Ile d'Oléron, and is excellent. You do not need a permit for sea fishing. You can go fishing at night, even during the summer months to catch bass off the Ile de Ré or Royan, and conger and skate off La Rochelle. Ile Madame is the best place for mussels.

The most convenient French Affair houses for sea fishing are:

Ile de Re: 224, 229,244,245
Royan: 239

2010 FISHING SEASONS IN THE CHARENTE MARITIME

For all fresh water fishing you will need a fishing permit.

Fishing is allowed during the season from half an hour before dawn to half an hour after sunset. Carp may be fished 24 hours a day but at night only on specially prepared and precisely delineated boats.

The other exception to this rule is for eel being fished without a hook but on what the French call a boul de verre, in which case you may fish for eel until midnight.

Pike
The season for pike is from the the 15th April till the first 31 December.

Pike less than 50 cms have to be returned to the water alive.

Shad
The season for shad is from 1st February to 30th June inclusive. In practical terms they are most likely to be in the rivers during May and June.

Shad less than 30 cms have to be returned to the water alive.

Trout
On the Sèvre Niortaise, Charente, Boutonne and Seudre the season for trout is from the 2nd Saturday in March to the 3rd Sunday in September inclusive.

Trout less than 25 cms have to be returned to the river alive.

The limit of the take home catch is 6 trout per person per day all other fish have to be returned to the water alive.

All other fish.
Provided that you have a fishing permit, all other fish can be fished year round.

Black Bass less than 23 cms have to be returned to the water alive.

Zander less than 40 cms have to be returned to the water alive.

Sea Lampreys less than 40cms have to be returned to the water alive.

River Lampreys less than 20cms have to be returned to the water alive.

Mullet less than 20 cms have to be returned to the water alive.