Pyrénées-Orientales · Occitanie · France · 511 acres (207 ha)
Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie 511 acres (207 ha) Reservoir No night fishing Boats allowed Bivvy permitted 579mi from Calais
About Lac de Matemale
Lac de Matemale is a large public reservoir in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, covering 207 hectares (510-acre) of open water. The fishery holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Pike and Black Bass.
Fishing at Lac de Matemale is restricted to daytime hours only. Regarding boats: Electric motors only. Bivvy camping is permitted under standard French law.
At 579 miles from Calais, Lac de Matemale requires a longer journey from the UK, but Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — rewards the trip.
Department
Pyrénées-Orientales
Region
Occitanie
Water Type
Reservoir
Size
511 acres (207 ha)
Night Fishing
Not permitted
Boats
Allowed
From Calais
579 miles
Managed by
AAPPMA Matemale / FDAAPPMA 66
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1st Category (Salmonid) water. Trout season: 14 Mar–20 Sep 2026. No night fishing permitted. Carp/coarse: all year.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (AAPPMA Matemale / FDAAPPMA 66) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Lac de Matemale?+
Lac de Matemale covers 511 acres (207 ha) in Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France.
What fish can I catch at Lac de Matemale?+
The water holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Pike, Black Bass.
Is night fishing allowed at Lac de Matemale?+
Night fishing at Lac de Matemale is not permitted. 1st Cat / 8 fish limit.
Are bivvies allowed at Lac de Matemale?+
Bivvy camping is permitted at Lac de Matemale under standard French bivouac law. Always check local rules before fishing.
How far is Lac de Matemale from Calais?+
Lac de Matemale is approximately 579 miles from Calais by road.
Do I need a French fishing licence to fish Lac de Matemale?+
Yes — all anglers fishing in France require a valid Carte de Pêche, available from cartedepeche.fr. You will also need to be affiliated with the local AAPPMA (AAPPMA Matemale / FDAAPPMA 66).
Fishing in Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie
Pyrénées-Orientales is home to numerous fishing venues accessible to UK anglers. PiscaMaps covers lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals across all Occitanie departments, with full rules, species and access information for each venue.
