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Lac de Doazon is a scenic 33.5-hectare reservoir in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques offering solid carp fishing alongside catfish, pike and zander in a beautiful mountain setting—perfect if you're exploring southwest France beyond the typical northern circuits. Day fishing only and bank-access only keep it quieter than many French venues, though the 531-mile distance from Calais means it's better suited to a dedicated southern trip rather than a quick weekend mission. You'll need an AAPPMA day ticket from the local association; contact FDAAPPMA 64 before travelling to confirm current access and regulations.
Night fishing at Lac de Doazon is authorised under Pyrénées-Atlantiques regulations. Night carp confirmed on Lac de l'Aubin (Doazon). Season: year-round. Authorised zone: right bank only (côté forêt/forest side) — right bank prohibited due to nearby housing. Pre-lac section: night carp prohibited. Vegetable baits only. Immediate release. Source: association-peche-le-pesquit.fr/parcours-carpe-de-nuit/
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de Doazon under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Pyrénées-Atlantiques card (CHI).
Managed by FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Doazon 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 Doazon — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale. 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 (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 de Doazon, 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.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac de Doazon — always check the current rules with FDAAPPMA 64 / AAPPMA locale before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
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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