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Étang de la Motte is a compact 12-hectare forest pond in the Ardennes offering good carp and tench fishing from the bank, with day-only access that suits anglers seeking a peaceful, intimate venue away from the crowds. Located 164 miles south-east of Calais, it's ideally positioned for a multi-lake trip through the region. You'll need a permit from AAPPMA de Signy-le-Petit and should book bank access in advance, as this small water has limited pegging.
At 164 miles from Calais, Étang de la Motte is a popular destination for anglers exploring Grand Est, a region bordering Germany and Luxembourg, popular with UK anglers for its proximity and excellent lake fishing.
Night fishing at Étang de la Motte is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Ardennes requires specific prefectoral authorisation. Main carp venues are Lac des Vieilles Forges and Étang de Bairon. Check peche08.fr for the current list before fishing at night. Source: peche08.fr
Required permits & cards: Ardennes card or Grand-Est reciprocity.
Managed by AAPPMA de Signy-le-Petit. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang de la Motte 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 de la Motte — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Signy-le-Petit. 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 Signy-le-Petit) 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 la Motte, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Signy-le-Petit is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Étang de la Motte is 164 miles from Calais, around 3 hours from the ferry or tunnel.
Ardennes is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Ardennes or explore all of Grand Est.
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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