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Lac du Bourget is a vast natural water in Haute-Savoie offering excellent mixed fishing across 4,433 hectares — carp and catfish are the main draws for visiting UK anglers seeking size and variety. The lake allows all motorboats, making it easy to explore productive areas, though daylight-only fishing rules apply as it's classified 2nd category. Located 405 miles from Calais in the stunning Alpine region, this is a serious destination for a week-long trip rather than a quick weekend break. You'll need a fishing licence and membership with the local AAPPMA du Léman; book accommodation in Chambéry or lakeside villages well in advance.
Night fishing at Lac du Bourget is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Haute-Savoie only permits night carp on 8 specific named lakes (Lac d'Ayze, Lac du Bois des Îles, Lac de Chamonix, Lac de Motte Longue, Lacs des Îlettes, Lac de Machilly, Lac du Môle). Source: pechehautesavoie.com/reglementation/peche-de-la-carpe/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac du Bourget. Boats widely used — trolling (traîne) is specifically authorised on Lac du Bourget and Lac d'Aiguebelette. Float tubes permitted. Strict navigation regulations apply (RPPN: Règlement Particulier de Police de Navigation). 100m inter-distance between boats required outside ports. All children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times. Navigation regulations in the Savoie prefecture PDF.
Required permits & cards: Savoie departmental fishing card required (Aix-les-Bains AAPPMA or similar). Carte interfédérale NOT valid in Savoie — Haute-Savoie reciprocity accepted with specific conditions. Consumption of omble chevalier, eel, bream, tench, and roach over 10cm from the lake is banned by prefectoral order due to contamination.
Managed by AAPPMA du Léman. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac du Bourget holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, bream. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 32kg 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 32.4kg (Colinmaire)
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Lac du Bourget — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA du Léman. 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 du Léman) 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 du Bourget, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA du Léman is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Haute-Savoie is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Haute-Savoie 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.
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