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Lac de la Vaud Gelade is a vast 227-hectare reservoir in Creuse offering excellent carp fishing alongside catfish, pike and other species, with the bonus of dedicated night fishing across three zones and 15 designated posts. The combination of boat access (petrol and electric available) and night fishing permissions makes this a serious destination for UK anglers seeking extended sessions in relatively unspoilt surroundings, roughly 350 miles from Calais. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and membership with the local AAPPMA — contact FDAAPPMA 23 to confirm current rates and regulations before your trip.
Night fishing at Lac de la Vaud Gelade is authorised under Creuse regulations. Night carp confirmed — matches Barrage de Lavaud-Gélade. 3 zones — 15 pegs total: Zone 1 'La Jarousse/Le Périoux' left bank (Royère-de-Vassivière): ~750m, 8 pegs. Zone 2 'Les Pondauds' right bank (St-Marc-à-Loubaud): ~450m, 4 pegs. Zone 3 'Pelletanges' right bank: ~250m, 3 pegs. Season: 1 April–30 November. Vegetable baits only. Immediate release. Source: fdpeche23.wixsite.com/peche23/carpe-de-nuit
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de la Vaud Gelade. Boats permitted on this barrage lake.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de la Vaud Gelade under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Creuse departmental card. Standard CHI reciprocity.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 23 / AAPPMA locale. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de la Vaud Gelade holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, 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 Vaud Gelade — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 23 / 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 23 / 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 la Vaud Gelade, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 23 / AAPPMA locale is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac de la Vaud Gelade is 353 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac de la Vaud Gelade — always check the current rules with FDAAPPMA 23 / AAPPMA locale before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
Creuse is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Creuse 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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