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Étang des Castellasses is a intimate high-altitude natural lake in the Pyrenees offering bank fishing for pike and perch alongside trout—a refreshing change of pace from lowland carp waters, though note that night fishing is prohibited. At just over 3 hectares, this small venue rewards patient anglers exploring the shoreline, with no boats allowed so expect a quieter, more contemplative experience than typical UK commercial fisheries. You'll need an Ariège AAPPMA licence (contact Fédération Ariège Pêche) and should check access conditions, as high-altitude venues can have seasonal restrictions.
Étang des Castellasses is 573 miles from Calais. For UK anglers willing to make the drive into Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — the fishing is well worth it.
Night fishing at Étang des Castellasses is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. In Ariège, night carp (no-kill mandatory) is only permitted on: Lac de Montbel (entire lake), Plan d'eau de Mondély, Plan d'eau de Labarre (Foix), l'Hers at Mazères (river), Saint-Ybars. Note: Lac de Filheit had night carp REMOVED from January 2026. Source: peche-ariege.com/connaitre-la-reglementation/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Étang des Castellasses under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 09 / Fédération Ariège Pêche. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang des Castellasses holds brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, pike. Pike fishing is a highlight of the venue — spinning, deadbaiting and lure fishing are all effective methods.
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Étang des Castellasses — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 09 / Fédération Ariège Pêche. 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 (FDAAPPMA 09 / Fédération Ariège Pêche) 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 des Castellasses, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 09 / Fédération Ariège Pêche is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Ariège is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Ariège 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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