Lac de Castillon is a vast 506-hectare Alpine reservoir offering excellent carp fishing alongside pike, zander and bream in stunning Provence scenery—ideal if you're after a change from the usual French stillwater circuit. Night fishing is permitted in designated Federal Night Zones, and you can fish from a boat (petrol or electric, max 6cv), giving you real flexibility to explore this sprawling water. At 533 miles from Calais, it's a serious road trip, but the combination of size, species diversity and Alpine setting makes it worth the journey. You'll need to purchase a French fishing licence and check specific AAPPMA regulations with La Truite Castellanaise before your visit.
Night fishing at Lac de Castillon is authorised under Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regulations. Night carp confirmed on specific bank sections. Weekend-only: Friday evening to Monday morning. Season: first weekend of April to last weekend of December. BANK ONLY — two rive droite sections marked: (1) Castillon dam to Cheïron ravine mouth (RD 955, commune Castellane); (2) Pont de Méouilles to Pont de Saint-Julien (commune Saint-André-les-Alpes). Vegetable baits only. Immediate release. Source: avis annuel AP n°2025-029-006 — peche04.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de Castillon. Navigation authorised 1 May–31 October. Two launch ramps: one at Saint-Julien-du-Verdon (light craft) and one at Saint-André-les-Alpes (concrete, accessible when lake is high). Trolling (traîne) authorised 1 May–1st Sunday of October. Fishing near EDF retention works and canal banks strictly forbidden. Navigation regulated by AP of 9 June 2015.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de Castillon under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. Standard French bivouac law applies on night carp bank sectors. Lake is within the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon.
Required permits & cards: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departmental card. Standard CHI reciprocity. Trolling carnet + fanion required (€30 + €4 per carnet, from Fédération 04 or 83).
Managed by AAPPMA La Truite Castellanaise / FDAAPPMA 04. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
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Lac de Castillon holds carp, pike, perch, zander, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 20kg 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 20kg+
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac de Castillon — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA La Truite Castellanaise / FDAAPPMA 04. 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 La Truite Castellanaise / FDAAPPMA 04) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Lac de Castillon, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA La Truite Castellanaise / FDAAPPMA 04 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac de Castillon — always check the current rules with AAPPMA La Truite Castellanaise / FDAAPPMA 04 before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
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