Filter by species, size, night fishing, boats and bivvy. Find venues near Ain and across all of France.
Lac des Orcières is a compact 13-hectare gravel pit in the Ain region offering solid carp, pike and tench fishing exclusively from the bank—perfect for a focused trip if you prefer intimate, manageable water. Day fishing only means you'll need to plan your sessions accordingly, though the peaceful setting rewards early starts and late-afternoon sessions. You'll need to purchase a day ticket or season permit from AAPPMA Montrevel-en-Bresse, and it's roughly 350 miles from Calais—ideal as part of a broader eastern France tour.
Night fishing at Lac des Orcières is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Ain's 2026 arrêté only covers specific designated venues (Lac de Barterand, Étangs du Comte, de la Rica, Plan d'eau de Glandieu, La Malourdie casiers 3/4/10, Plan d'eau de Cormoranche, plus Ain/Rhône/Saône river sections). Source: federation-peche-ain.com/parcours-carpes-de-nuit/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Lac des Orcières. Boat fishing with a specific boat card ('carte barque') is permitted on three of the five interconnected lakes of the Plaine Tonique complex (which ones specifically is not detailed in public sources). Thermal/combustion motors are strictly forbidden on all lakes; only electric motors are authorised. A launch ramp ('mise à l'eau') is available on site. A separate boat permit/card must be purchased in addition to the standard fishing licence. Exact cost of the boat card not confirmed in publicly available sources — confirm with AAPPMA La Semeuse or Agri Sud Est.
Required permits & cards: 1) Carte de nuit (night fishing permit): ~€30/year (last confirmed price ~2017), required on top of standard licence or day card, available at Agri Sud Est, Montrevel-en-Bresse. 2) Carte barque (boat permit): required for boat fishing on eligible lakes, price unconfirmed. 3) Special day discovery pass ('carte découverte journée'): €5/day, valid for Lac des Vavres, Lac des Orcières and Lac Buisson. All cards sold at Agri Sud Est (SA), rond-point de la Caisse d'Épargne, Montrevel-en-Bresse, and via www.federation-peche-ain.com.
Managed by AAPPMA Montrevel-en-Bresse. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac des Orcières holds carp, pike, perch, tench. 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 des Orcières — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Montrevel-en-Bresse. Licences are available online before your trip.
Join to unlock full rules, night sectors, access notes and local camping spots for Lac des Orcières and 96,200+ venues across France, Belgium, Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Czechia.
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 Montrevel-en-Bresse) 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 des Orcières, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Montrevel-en-Bresse is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac des Orcières is 351 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Ain is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Ain or explore all of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
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.
Other public fishing venues near Lac des Orcières on PiscaMaps: