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Lac de la Balme is an intimate 7.5-hectare alpine lake in Haute-Savoie offering quality carp and tench fishing from the bank in stunning mountain scenery—perfect if you want escape without crowds. Night fishing isn't permitted, so plan daylight sessions; the lake holds pike and perch too, adding variety to your trip. You'll need a French fishing licence and AAPPMA du Faucigny permit; at 394 miles from Calais, it suits anglers combining a longer French tour rather than a quick weekend dash.
Night fishing at Lac de la Balme is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Haute-Savoie only permits night carp on 8 specific named lakes (Lac d'Ayze, Lac du Bois des Îles, Lac de Chamonix, Lac de Motte Longue, Lacs des Îlettes, Lac de Machilly, Lac du Môle). Source: pechehautesavoie.com/reglementation/peche-de-la-carpe/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de la Balme under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by AAPPMA du Faucigny. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de la Balme holds carp, pike, perch, tench. 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 la Balme — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA du Faucigny. 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 du Faucigny) 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 la Balme, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA du Faucigny is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac de la Balme is 394 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Haute-Savoie is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Haute-Savoie 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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