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Lac de l'Arrêt Darré is a sprawling 107-hectare Pyrenean reservoir offering excellent carp and catfish prospects across diverse bank-fishing marks, with night fishing permitted across the venue—ideal for UK anglers seeking a quieter alternative to busier French waters. The mixed species population (including zander, pike and tench) keeps daytime sessions interesting, while the mountainous setting provides a memorable change of scenery from home waters. Located 540 miles south of Calais, you'll need a valid French fishing licence and must join the local FDAAPPMA 65; contact them in advance to confirm current access and seasonal conditions.
Lac de l'Arrêt darré is 540 miles from Calais. For UK anglers willing to make the drive into Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — the fishing is well worth it.
Night fishing at Lac de l'Arrêt darré is not permitted. Night carp in Hautes-Pyrénées is only permitted on specific named venues (Lourdes, Louet, Gubinelli, Arrêt-Darré, Maubourguet etc.). This lake is not on the authorised list — night fishing prohibited here. Source: peche65.fr Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Lac de l'Arrêt darré.
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Lac de l'Arrêt darré. Night fishing not authorised.
Required permits & cards: Verify with local Fédération.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 65 / Fédération Pêche Hautes-Pyrénées. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de l'Arrêt darré 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 l'Arrêt darré — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 65 / Fédération Pêche Hautes-Pyrénées. 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 65 / Fédération Pêche Hautes-Pyrénées) 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 l'Arrêt darré, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 65 / Fédération Pêche Hautes-Pyrénées is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Hautes-Pyrénées is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Hautes-Pyrénées 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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