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Grand Étang de Pontoux is a compact 21-hectare reservoir in Bourgogne offering solid mixed fishing with carp, catfish and pike alongside traditional coarse species—ideal for a quieter, less pressured session away from popular French hotspots. Bank fishing only and day-only rules (no night fishing under local AAPPMA regs) mean this suits anglers wanting structured daytime fishing, roughly 316 miles from Calais. You'll need an AAPPMA licence and to contact Saint-Germain-du-Bois – Étangs for access details and current conditions before your trip.
Night fishing at Grand Étang de Pontoux is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Saône-et-Loire's 2026 arrêté only covers specifically designated sites — this lake is not among them. Source: peche-saone-et-loire.fr/peche-pratique/carpe-de-nuit/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Grand Étang de Pontoux under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Saône-et-Loire card (CHI/EHGO/URNE).
Managed by AAPPMA Saint-Germain-du-Bois – Étangs. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Grand Étang de Pontoux holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, 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 Grand Étang de Pontoux — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Saint-Germain-du-Bois – Étangs. 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 Saint-Germain-du-Bois – Étangs) 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 Grand Étang de Pontoux, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Saint-Germain-du-Bois – Étangs is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Grand Étang de Pontoux is 316 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Saône-et-Loire is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Saône-et-Loire 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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