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This massive Alpine reservoir in Provence offers serious scope for ambitious UK carp anglers, with boat access opening up deeper, quieter zones where bigger fish hold. Night fishing is permitted in designated areas, giving you flexibility to target dawn and dusk feeds across the 2,759-hectare expanse—expect pike and zander as bonus species alongside healthy carp populations. Note: At 492 miles from Calais, this is a committed trip; book with AAPPMA Gaule Embrunaise well ahead and confirm current access rules for boat launching and night-fishing zones.
Night fishing at Lac de Serre-Ponçon is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Only 4 specific plans d'eau in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence have night carp authorisation: Lac de la Forestière (Manosque), Lacs des Buissonnades Est/Sud (Oraison), Lac du Brunet, Retenue de Castillon (specific bank sections). All are weekend-only, April–December. Source: AP n°2025-029-006 — peche04.fr Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Full boating permitted. Boating licence (fluvial or coastal permit) required for motors over 4.5kW (6CV). Speed: 60 km/h daytime, 25 km/h at night, 5 km/h within 100m of shore. Night navigation permitted under conditions (water level 774–780m, navigation lights required). Jet-skis restricted to specific VNM zone. 6 launch ramps available. Navigation regulated by inter-prefectoral decree of June 2024 (SMADESEP).
Bivouac & overnight camping is not permitted at Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Bivouac strictly forbidden on all shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Fires forbidden on all banks. This is an EDF hydroelectric reservoir — banks are public domain subject to EDF/SMADESEP management.
Required permits & cards: Hautes-Alpes departmental card (non-reciprocal — other department cards only permit 1 rod on public domain). Specific annual arrêté for carp night fishing sectors. Trolling licence + logbook + fanion de traîne mandatory for trolling. Boating licence required for motors over 6CV.
Managed by AAPPMA Gaule Embrunaise / FDAAPPMA 04-05. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac de Serre-Ponçon holds carp, pike, perch, zander, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 16kg 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 16kg+
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac de Serre-Ponçon — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Gaule Embrunaise / FDAAPPMA 04-05. Licences are available online before your trip.
Image via Wikipedia (Wikipédia) · Used under Creative Commons licence
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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 Gaule Embrunaise / FDAAPPMA 04-05) 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 Serre-Ponçon, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Gaule Embrunaise / FDAAPPMA 04-05 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence 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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