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Lac de Bourdouze is a scenic 40-hectare reservoir in the Auvergne highlands offering solid populations of carp alongside catfish, pike and tench in a pristine peat-bog setting—bank fishing only, so expect a more intimate, quieter experience than lowland French lakes. Night fishing isn't permitted here due to the lake's fragile ecosystem, making this a day-ticket destination roughly 380 miles south-east of Calais. You'll need to purchase a day licence and obtain permission from AAPPMA d'Allanche et Murat before fishing.
At 382 miles from Calais, Lac de Bourdouze requires a longer journey from the UK, but Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — one of France's most varied fishing regions, with venues ranging from Alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Lac de Bourdouze is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Cantal's mountain/river waters are predominantly 1st category. Source: auvergne-peche.fr Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Only electric motors are permitted — thermal engines are forbidden. Navigation authorised. Boats with electric motor or oars/rowboat only — no thermal/combustion motor. After launching, vehicle and trailer must be moved to the main car park; no stationnement near the lakeshore. Launch point indicated on peche63.com. Float-tube use not explicitly mentioned in sources but likely subject to the same 'embarcation légère' tolerance given the fragile peat-bog environment. Confirm rules on-site.
Required permits & cards: Standard Puy-de-Dôme fishing licence (carte de pêche AAPPMA Besse en Chandesse or reciprocal card) required. Cards available at the Office de Tourisme de Besse et Super Besse and online at cartedepeche.fr. Current published tariffs (sancy.com / auvergne-destination.com): Carte personne majeure 87 €; Carte interfédérale 114 €; Carte découverte femme 42 €; Carte hebdomadaire available. No separate day-ticket or specific lac surcharge is mentioned for Bourdouze in any source (unlike nearby Lac Pavin, which explicitly requires a 'carte de pêche particulière obligatoire'). No night-fishing supplement applicable as night fishing is not authorised. Confirm current tariffs at point of sale.
Managed by AAPPMA d'Allanche et Murat. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Bourdouze holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, 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 Lac de Bourdouze — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA d'Allanche et Murat. 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 d'Allanche et Murat) 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 de Bourdouze, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA d'Allanche et Murat is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac de Bourdouze is 382 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Cantal is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Cantal or explore all of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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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