Lac de la Gioule is a sizeable 74-hectare reservoir in the Landes offering solid mixed fishing with excellent carp and catfish prospects alongside pike, zander and bream. Day-only bank fishing keeps it quieter than some French venues, making it ideal if you prefer structured sessions rather than overnight trips — though the 506-mile distance from Calais means this is best tackled as part of a longer southern France exploration. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and AAPPMA membership (FDAAPPMA 40 covers this water).
Night fishing at Lac de la Gioule is authorised under Landes regulations. Night carp confirmed — AAPPMA Aire sur l'Adour: Retenue du Gioulé, right bank from the reserve sign to the base of the dam. Season: 1 January–31 December 2026. Bank/bankside fishing only. Vegetable baits/boilies only (no maggots, worms, live/dead fish). Immediate release — no keep-sack. No fires. Shelter (neutral colour, portable) permitted for fishing only. Source: peche-landes.com (Arrêté DDTM/SPEMA/2025/1461)
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de la Gioule under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Landes card. Verify opening status.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 40 / AAPPMA locale. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Filter by species, size, night fishing, boats and bivvy. Find venues near Landes and across all of France.
Lac de la Gioule 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 la Gioule — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 40 / AAPPMA locale. Licences are available online before your trip.
Join to unlock full rules, night sectors, access notes and local camping spots for Lac de la Gioule and 10,000+ venues across France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
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 40 / AAPPMA locale) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Lac de la Gioule, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 40 / AAPPMA locale is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac de la Gioule — always check the current rules with FDAAPPMA 40 / AAPPMA locale before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
Landes is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Landes or explore all of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Other public fishing venues near Lac de la Gioule on PiscaMaps: