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Lac d'Artouste is a pristine high-altitude reservoir in the Pyrenees offering bank fishing for pike and perch alongside its trout populations—a refreshing change of pace if you fancy mixed species in stunning mountain scenery. Night fishing is not permitted due to the salmonid management, and the venue is strictly bank-only with no boat access, making it an intimate spot for focused daytime sessions. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and membership with the local AAPPMA; contact FDAAPPMA 64 for current regulations and access details before your trip.
Lac d'Artouste is 569 miles from Calais. For UK anglers willing to make the drive into Nouvelle-Aquitaine — a vast region stretching from the Dordogne to the Basque Country, with outstanding fishing across its many departments — the fishing is well worth it.
Night fishing at Lac d'Artouste is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this mountain lake. Pyrénées-Atlantiques mountain lakes (>1000m altitude) are classified as 1st category waters where night carp is not permitted. Source: federation-peche64.fr/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/fd64_mememto_2025.pdf Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Lac d'Artouste.
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Lac d'Artouste.
Required permits & cards: Verify with local Fédération.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac d'Artouste holds brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, pike, black bass. 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 Lac d'Artouste — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale. Licences are available online before your trip.
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1st Category (Salmonid) water. Trout season: approx. Apr–Sep (mountain lake – confirm local dates). No night fishing. Carp/coarse: all year.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale) 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 Lac d'Artouste, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Pyrénées-Atlantiques is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Pyrénées-Atlantiques or explore all of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
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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