Pyrénées-Orientales · Occitanie · France · 7 acres (3 ha)
Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie 7 acres (3 ha) Lake No night fishing Bivvy permitted 571mi from Calais
About Étang de Balbonne
Étang de Balbonne is a intimate natural lake in Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, covering 3 hectares of freshwater fishing. The fishery holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch and Pike.
Fishing at Étang de Balbonne is restricted to daytime hours only. Regarding boats: Bank fishing only. Bivvy camping is permitted under standard French law.
At 571 miles from Calais, Étang de Balbonne requires a longer journey from the UK, but Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — rewards the trip.
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 66 / Fédération Pêche Pyrénées-Orientales) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Étang de Balbonne?+
Étang de Balbonne covers 7 acres (3 ha) in Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France.
What fish can I catch at Étang de Balbonne?+
The water holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Pike.
Is night fishing allowed at Étang de Balbonne?+
Night fishing at Étang de Balbonne is not permitted. High Altitude.
Are bivvies allowed at Étang de Balbonne?+
Bivvy camping is permitted at Étang de Balbonne under standard French bivouac law. Always check local rules before fishing.
How far is Étang de Balbonne from Calais?+
Étang de Balbonne is approximately 571 miles from Calais by road.
Do I need a French fishing licence to fish Étang de Balbonne?+
Yes — all anglers fishing in France require a valid Carte de Pêche, available from cartedepeche.fr. You will also need to be affiliated with the local AAPPMA (FDAAPPMA 66 / Fédération Pêche Pyrénées-Orientales).
Fishing in Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie
Pyrénées-Orientales is home to numerous fishing venues accessible to UK anglers. PiscaMaps covers lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals across all Occitanie departments, with full rules, species and access information for each venue.
