Fishing Frenzy

France is a popular carp fishing destination for anglers who head straight for the rivers, lakes, and of course the coastline. For the dedicated angler, there are plenty of places in the country to enjoy a good catch. Many carp lakes such as L'Etang de Tricherie and Rainbow Lake boast of 40 lb. plus carps.

These privately owned fishing lakes offer boats on hire. Cretelakes stocks over 400 carp and offer a variety of travel & food packages. At lakes such as Brittany Mill Lakes and Bills Lake, anglers are allowed to use their own boats or hire one.

Privately owned fishing lakes usually take care of license requirements as long as you have booked in advance. For carp fishing in public lakes and local rivers, you need to get a permit from local newsagents for around 7 Euros a day. A 2 week permit would cost you 30 Euros.

If you plan to visit the place frequently then look for an annual permit. Boats are allowed in most areas, however, you may need to have a license apart from your fishing permit, so check with the local authorities. Echo sounders or fish finders are not allowed so be careful not to use one.

For a great carp fishing experience you ought to head down to rivers such as the Seine, Marine, and Sane. Apart from privately owned lakes, night fishing is not allowed in many places in France. Fishing is permitted from half an hour after sunrise, while you need to wind up half an hour before sunset. Certain areas along the rivers Seine, Mosselle, Rhone, and Madine permit night fishing.

Lake Dijon is popular for 30lb plus carp, and has the distinction of the heaviest catch at 89lb, all thanks to the climate and size of the lake. Others areas with a large population of carp include Reims, Bordeaux, and Brittany. Tackling these big fish requires anglers to have some real good pieces of equipment. Baitrunner reels and a 2 curve rod are essential.

A big pit reel that holds more line will help when you need to fish at a distance from the river bank. Several carp fishing lakes don't allow braided fishing lines, so even if you are a diehard backer of braided lines, the best option is a monofilament line. As far as bait is concerned, some lakes allow only specific types of bait, so check first before you pack your fishing bag. Certain ground baits and tiger nuts are not allowed as bait.

Prior to setting out on your fishing trip, it would be sensible to check out all the details. More so, if you aren't heading down to a privately owned lake. Some lakes only allow bivvys as shelters instead of larger tents. There are many carp fishing lakes in France that offer some exclusive holiday packages which include accommodation, fishing equipment, and transport in fishing areas such as Croix Blanche, Willow Lake, and Lake Juvanze. These come at a price so if you are on a budget you may want to make your own arrangements. Either way, you can look forward to an exciting carp fishing holiday. Happy angling!