Lac d'Esparron is a sprawling 319-hectare reservoir in Provence offering excellent carp fishing alongside pike, zander and bream in stunning Mediterranean scenery. Night fishing is permitted but requires advance booking, and electric-powered boats are available for exploring this vast water. You'll need a fishing licence and membership with the local AAPPMA Verdon Colostre — contact FDAAPPMA 83 to arrange before your trip.
At 534 miles from Calais, Lac d'Esparron requires a longer journey from the UK, but Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur — a stunning region with mountain lakes, large reservoirs and excellent carp fishing in the south — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Lac d'Esparron is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Var requires specific prefectoral authorisation on designated parcours. Check current authorised sites at pechevar.fr before fishing at night. Source: pechevar.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac d'Esparron. Boats permitted. EDF hydroelectric reservoir. Navigation per Verdon rules. Oil spill incident (barrage de Quinson, Oct 2025) caused temporary ban downstream — verify current status.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac d'Esparron under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. Standard French bivouac law applies on designated night carp pegs.
Required permits & cards: Var departmental card or CHI/EHGO reciprocity. Mandatory online peg reservation for night carp. No-kill mandatory for carp. Inter-prefectoral AP n°2024-038-004.
Managed by AAPPMA Verdon Colostre / FDAAPPMA 83. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
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Lac d'Esparron holds carp, pike, perch, zander, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 18kg have been recorded. All carp should be handled with care and returned promptly. A landing mat and unhooking mat are essential kit for any carp session.
Carp to 18kg+
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac d'Esparron — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Verdon Colostre / FDAAPPMA 83. 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 Verdon Colostre / FDAAPPMA 83) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Lac d'Esparron, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Verdon Colostre / FDAAPPMA 83 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Var is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Var or explore all of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
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