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Barrage du Candau is a scenic 56-hectare reservoir in south-west France offering mixed species fishing including solid carp and catfish populations alongside pike and zander—ideal if you want variety beyond pure carp. Day-fishing only from the bank means early starts are essential, but the peaceful setting and diverse fish stocks make it worth the 506-mile haul from Calais for a longer trip combining multiple Occitanie venues. You'll need a French fishing licence and must check FDAAPPMA 32 (Gers federation) for current access permits and any seasonal restrictions before arrival.
Night fishing at Barrage du Candau is authorised under Gers regulations. Night carp confirmed (Lac de Candau). Season: year-round. Bank or anchored boat. Vegetable baits only. No-kill mandatory at night. Source: Guide Pêche Gers 2024 — gers-peche.fr
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Barrage du Candau under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 32 / Fédération Pêche Gers. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Barrage du Candau holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers. All carp should be handled with care and returned promptly. A landing mat and unhooking mat are essential kit for any carp session.
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Barrage du Candau — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 32 / Fédération Pêche Gers. Licences are available online before your trip.
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2nd Category water. Carp/coarse: open all year. Pike: 25 Apr 2026–31 Jan 2027 (closed Feb–Apr). Zander/Perch/Catfish: all year. Pike season as above.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (FDAAPPMA 32 / Fédération Pêche Gers) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
France is the closest mainland European fishing destination for UK anglers. The Channel Tunnel (Folkestone–Calais, ~35 min) is the fastest crossing, while P&O Ferries (Dover–Calais, ~90 min) offer good value for heavy kit. Most northern French venues are within 2–4 hours of Calais; southern venues require a full day of driving.
A Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence) is required for all freshwater fishing. Buy online at cartedepeche.fr before you travel. Annual, weekly and daily options are available and include your AAPPMA affiliation for the selected department.
To fish Barrage du Candau, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 32 / Fédération Pêche Gers is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Night fishing is permitted at Barrage du Candau — always check the current rules with FDAAPPMA 32 / Fédération Pêche Gers before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
Gers is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Gers or explore all of Occitanie.
France offers outstanding fishing year-round. The main coarse close season applies to some rivers (typically January–March for certain species), but still-water carp fishing on private and AAPPMA-managed lakes is available throughout the year. Spring (March–June) is the classic French carp season, with fish actively feeding and moving into shallow margins. Summer nights (June–August) are ideal for big-fish sessions on the large public reservoirs and rivers. Autumn (September–November) is particularly productive on the Auvergne and Languedoc lakes as temperatures drop. The Loire and Saône river systems produce excellent catfish sport from June through September, while the Dordogne and its tributaries fish well for chub, barbel and trout from spring through autumn.
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