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Étang d'Urfé is a compact 10.8-hectare reservoir in the Loire region offering solid carp fishing from the bank, with tench and pike adding variety to your sessions. Night fishing isn't permitted here, so it's ideal for daytime tactics—expect intimate, peaceful fishing with limited angler pressure. You'll need a French fishing licence and an AAPPMA de Roanne permit to fish; the venue sits around 372 miles south of Calais, making it a worthwhile stop on a Loire valley fishing tour.
At 372 miles from Calais, Étang d'Urfé requires a longer journey from the UK, but Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — one of France's most varied fishing regions, with venues ranging from Alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Étang d'Urfé is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Loire requires specific authorisation. 10 named plans d'eau touristiques are authorised — check annex 5 of the règlement intérieur. Night carp also confirmed on the Loire river itself (year-round, bank only). Vegetable baits only. No-kill mandatory. No embarcation at night. Verify this specific lake at peche42.fr/peche-dans-les-plans-deau-touristiques/ Source: peche42.fr
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Étang d'Urfé under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by AAPPMA de Roanne. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang d'Urfé holds carp, pike, perch, tench. 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 Étang d'Urfé — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Roanne. 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 (AAPPMA de Roanne) 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 Étang d'Urfé, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Roanne is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Étang d'Urfé is 372 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Loire is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Loire or explore all of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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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