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Lac de Lavaud is a substantial 141-hectare reservoir in southern France offering excellent mixed fishing with a healthy carp population alongside catfish, pike and zander—perfect if you want variety during your trip. Night fishing is permitted in designated zones, and you can launch both electric and petrol (sub-6hp) boats, giving you flexibility to explore this 359-mile haul from Calais. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and membership with local AAPPMA Charente (contact FDAAPPMA 16) before casting.
Night fishing at Lac de Lavaud is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Charente requires specific prefectoral authorisation on designated parcours. Check peche16.fr for the current list before fishing at night. Source: peche16.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de Lavaud. Large barrage lake — boats permitted. Verify motor restrictions.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de Lavaud under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Charente departmental card (CHI).
Managed by FDAAPPMA 16 / Fédération Pêche Charente. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Lavaud holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 20kg have been recorded. All carp should be handled with care and returned promptly. A landing mat and unhooking mat are essential kit for any carp session.
Carp to 20kg+ (Colinmaire)
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac de Lavaud — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 16 / Fédération Pêche Charente. 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 16 / Fédération Pêche Charente) 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 Lavaud, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 16 / Fédération Pêche Charente is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac de Lavaud is 359 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Charente is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Charente 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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