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Lac de Charpal is a substantial 189-hectare reservoir in the Lozère offering excellent variety with carp, catfish, pike, zander and tench in a scenic Southern French setting (444 miles from Calais). The all-species no-kill regulation and electric-motor-only boat access make this a catch-and-release haven for technique-focused anglers, though night fishing isn't permitted. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and AAPPMA Charpal membership to fish here.
Night fishing at Lac de Charpal is not permitted. Lac de Charpal (189–200ha, 1300m altitude, Lozère) is classified 1st category piscicole and is a drinking water reservoir. Fishing is open 23 May–31 December only (2025). STRICT no-kill — catch quota is 0 (zero), all fish must be immediately returned. Only lure/fly fishing with barbless hooks permitted — natural bait strictly forbidden. Only 1 line per angler. Night fishing NOT authorised (1st category, no-kill reserve, no natural bait). Boats: rowing or electric motor only (thermal motors forbidden). Float-tubes permitted. Water level protection rules (AP n°91-0765). Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Only electric motors are permitted — thermal engines are forbidden. Rowing boats and electric motor boats permitted. Thermal motors strictly forbidden. Float-tubes permitted.
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Lac de Charpal. Night fishing not authorised. No camping in the protection perimeter.
Required permits & cards: Lozère departmental card (CHI). Open 23 May–31 December only. No-kill integral (quota = 0). Lures/flies with barbless hooks only — natural bait forbidden.
Managed by AAPPMA Charpal / FDAAPPMA 48. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Charpal holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream, black bass. 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 Charpal — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Charpal / FDAAPPMA 48. 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 Charpal / FDAAPPMA 48) 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 Charpal, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Charpal / FDAAPPMA 48 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Lozère is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Lozère or explore all of Occitanie.
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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