Lac de Pont-de-Salars is a substantial 166-hectare reservoir in southern France offering excellent mixed fishing with solid populations of carp, catfish, pike, and tench across its deep, well-structured basin. Night fishing is permitted year-round, and boat access (petrol and electric, tax required) opens up productive deeper zones — a real advantage for targeting bigger carp in this less-pressured southern venue, around 460 miles south of Calais. You'll need an AAPPMA day ticket or annual licence from the local federation (FDAAPPMA 12); contact them in advance as this reservoir sits in prime catfish territory, so be prepared for sizeable non-target species.
Lac de Pont-de-Salars is 462 miles from Calais. For UK anglers willing to make the drive into Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — the fishing is well worth it.
Night fishing at Lac de Pont-de-Salars is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Aveyron requires specific prefectoral authorisation on designated parcours. Check pecheaveyron.fr for the current list before fishing at night. Source: pecheaveyron.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de Pont-de-Salars. Boats permitted. Speed regulated. Launch ramps at Pont-de-Salars and Méjanès. Strong marnage on Lac de Bage (linked).
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac de Pont-de-Salars under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. Standard French bivouac law applies. Temporary reserves in spring upstream.
Required permits & cards: Aveyron departmental card (CHI). Night carp long-established. Reserves apply April–June upstream. See pecheaveyron.fr.
Managed by AAPPMA de Pont-de-Salars / FDAAPPMA 12. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
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Lac de Pont-de-Salars 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 Pont-de-Salars — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Pont-de-Salars / FDAAPPMA 12. 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 (AAPPMA de Pont-de-Salars / FDAAPPMA 12) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Lac de Pont-de-Salars, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Pont-de-Salars / FDAAPPMA 12 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
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