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This sprawling 350-hectare Provençal reservoir is a genuine carp destination with a proven 35kg+ potential and excellent pike and zander populations to keep you engaged. Night fishing is permitted in designated zones (no advance booking needed), and the electric-motor-only rule keeps the water peaceful—ideal for reading signs and fishing tactically across the extensive shallows and deeper basins. Based 559 miles south of Calais in sun-soaked Var, it's a serious expedition but rewards the journey with warm-season conditions and reliable stocks.
Practical note: You'll need to purchase a permit from either AAPPMA La Belle Mouchetée de Fayence or AAPPMA La Fario de Montauroux, or contact FDAAPPMA 83 for details on access and current fishing regulations.
Night fishing at Lac de Saint-Cassien is not permitted. Lac de Saint-Cassien (430–450ha, Var) — night carp fishing PERMANENTLY FORBIDDEN since summer 2012. This is the definitive rule: "La pêche de la carpe de nuit est interdite toute l'année." No-kill mandatory for all carp. Biwys/tents/camping FORBIDDEN all year. Gas stoves/fires forbidden. West arm (bras ouest): all carp fishing forbidden 1 January–30 June. Electric motors only (no thermal). Boat line deployment permitted within 100m of fishing peg. Repères flottants required for lines. Reciprocity: Var (83), CHI, EHGO. Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Only electric motors are permitted — thermal engines are forbidden. Electric motors only (no thermal). Float-tube permitted. Boat line deployment max 100m from peg. No thermal motors even if not running.
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Lac de Saint-Cassien. Camping sauvage and all shelters (tents, biwys, parasols) permanently forbidden on the entire lake.
Required permits & cards: Var departmental card or CHI/EHGO reciprocity. No-kill mandatory all carp. Night carp permanently forbidden.
Managed by AAPPMA La Belle Mouchetée de Fayence / AAPPMA La Fario de Montauroux / FDAAPPMA 83. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Saint-Cassien holds carp, pike, perch, zander, bream, black bass. 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 35.2kg (GoCarp/Colinmaire)
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac de Saint-Cassien — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA La Belle Mouchetée de Fayence / AAPPMA La Fario de Montauroux / FDAAPPMA 83. 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 La Belle Mouchetée de Fayence / AAPPMA La Fario de Montauroux / FDAAPPMA 83) 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 Saint-Cassien, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA La Belle Mouchetée de Fayence / AAPPMA La Fario de Montauroux / FDAAPPMA 83 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Var is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Var or explore all of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
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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