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Tucked away in the Gard region of southern France, this intimate 20-hectare natural lake offers excellent carp fishing from the bank with a genuine peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds. Night fishing is permitted for carp anglers, making it ideal for UK visitors seeking extended sessions in a quieter setting. Located 491 miles south of Calais, it's best suited to those combining their trip with other southern French venues.
Practical note: You'll need a French fishing licence and membership with AAPPMA du Gard — contact them directly to confirm current night fishing regulations and any seasonal restrictions before your visit.
Night fishing at Étang de Codolet is not permitted. Night carp not confirmed on this lake. Gard's designated night carp sites are mainly river sections (Rhône, Cèze, Vidourle) plus Lac de Sautebraut (Bellegarde) and Plan d'eau n°4 de Vergèze. This lake is not among them. Source: pechegard.com/parcours-carpe-de-nuit/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Étang de Codolet under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Gard card (CHI). Verify nuclear site access rules.
Managed by AAPPMA du Gard. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang de Codolet holds carp, pike, perch, 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 Codolet — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA du Gard. Licences are available online before your trip.
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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 Codolet, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA du Gard is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Gard is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Gard 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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