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Lac de Madine is a massive 1,100-hectare reservoir in the Meuse that delivers genuine variety—carp, pike, zander and catfish all thrive here, making it perfect if you want to mix your approach. Night fishing is permitted across 31 designated posts (booking essential), and electric-only boats mean you can cover serious water; around 359 miles from Calais, it's a worthwhile destination for a dedicated trip. You'll need a day ticket and AAPPMA membership—contact Les Pêcheurs de Madine in advance to secure your preferred night-fishing pegs and boat access.
Night fishing at Lac de Madine is authorised under Meuse regulations. Night carp confirmed. Lac de Madine (190ha, Parc Naturel Régional de Lorraine) has an authorised night carp parcours. Season: 1 April–14 October. Vegetable baits only. Immediate release. Source: peche55.fr + passion-carpe.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de Madine. Boats permitted. Fishing zones delimited by yellow buoys (boat fishing) and red buoys (carp). Boat anglers fishing carp from a boat over 2.5m must mark their zone with buoys within 30m of the boat. No specific motor restriction found — verify on-site. Access badge required for the Marmont dam launch ramp (obtained from Maison des Promenades, Nonsard).
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted in designated areas only at Lac de Madine. Bivouac permitted on authorised night carp pegs only. Standard rules apply: no fires, leave no trace. Access badge required for the Marmont launch ramp site. Confirm with the local AAPPMA.
Required permits & cards: AAPPMA "Les Pêcheurs de Madine" card mandatory — strictly non-reciprocal (no URNE, EGHO or any other reciprocity accepted). Annual, weekly, or daily cards available at cartedepeche.fr or Maison des Promenades, Nonsard. Additional "night trip" supplement required per angler for night carp sessions. Carp zone pegs C must be reserved in advance with SPL Chambley-Madine.
Managed by AAPPMA Les Pêcheurs de Madine. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Madine holds carp, pike, zander, catfish, tench, bream, roach. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 35kg 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.
Record 34.7kg (Aug 2023) – France3/GoCarp
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac de Madine — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Les Pêcheurs de Madine. 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. Night fishing: see notes.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (AAPPMA Les Pêcheurs de Madine) 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 Madine, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Les Pêcheurs de Madine is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac de Madine is 359 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac de Madine — always check the current rules with AAPPMA Les Pêcheurs de Madine before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
Meuse is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Meuse or explore all of Grand Est.
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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