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Étang de Baye is a substantial 74-hectare reservoir in Burgundy offering excellent mixed coarse fishing, with dedicated night carp zones that make it a serious option for UK anglers seeking extended sessions. Electric boats are permitted, giving you flexibility to explore the water and locate productive areas across this well-stocked venue. You'll need to purchase a day ticket through the managing AAPPMA (Vaux – La Perchette) and carry your French fishing licence.
At 273 miles from Calais, Étang de Baye is a popular destination for anglers exploring Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a region renowned among UK carp anglers for its quality stillwater fishing.
Night fishing at Étang de Baye is not permitted. Étang de Baye (74ha, Nièvre) — night carp explicitly FORBIDDEN per Fédération de Pêche de la Nièvre 2025 guide: "Carpe de nuit interdite sur l'Etang de Baye" (same guide as Chaumeçon). Electric motors only. Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Only electric motors are permitted — thermal engines are forbidden. Electric motors only. Thermal motors forbidden.
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Étang de Baye.
Required permits & cards: Nièvre departmental card or EHGO.
Managed by AAPPMA Vaux – La Perchette. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang de Baye holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream. 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 de Baye — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Vaux – La Perchette. 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 Vaux – La Perchette) 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 de Baye, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Vaux – La Perchette is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Étang de Baye is 273 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Nièvre is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Nièvre or explore all of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
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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