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Étang du Riou is an intimate 11-hectare reservoir in Loiret offering solid carp and tench fishing in a peaceful, bank-only setting—ideal if you prefer a quieter venue away from the busy lakes. Day fishing only, so plan accordingly; pike and perch provide bonus sport. You'll need an AAPPMA permit from the local Gien association, and it's around 231 miles south of Calais, making it a solid option if you're exploring central France.
Étang du Riou lies 231 miles from Calais — a comfortable day's drive for visiting anglers heading into Centre-Val de Loire, a central region with excellent pike, perch and carp fishing across its river systems and lakes.
Night fishing at Étang du Riou is not permitted. Night carp not confirmed on this lake. Loiret night carp is only authorised on: the entire Loire river, Lac des Closiers, Étang des Grèves (Beaulieu), Étang du Puits (Cerdon, digue only), Canal de Briare sections, and Île Charlemagne (Orléans, AAPPMA dates). Source: federationpeche45.fr/6247-les-parcours-specifiques-no-kill-cdn-.htm Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Managed by AAPPMA de Gien. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Étang du Riou 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 du Riou — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Gien. 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 Gien) 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 du Riou, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Gien is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Étang du Riou is 231 miles from Calais, around 4 hours from the ferry or tunnel.
Loiret is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Loiret or explore all of Centre-Val de Loire.
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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