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Lac du Laouzas is a sprawling 268-hectare reservoir in the Tarn offering excellent opportunities for carp alongside catfish, pike and zander—ideal for UK anglers seeking variety with substantial fish populations. Night fishing is permitted in designated zones under no-kill rules, and the venue allows both petrol and electric boats, making it perfect for exploring deeper sections and finding feeding fish. Located roughly 510 miles south of Calais in Occitanie, it's best visited as part of an extended French trip; you'll need an AAPPMA day ticket from the local federation (FDAAPPMA 81) or a national licence.
Lac du Laouzas is 507 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 du Laouzas is authorised under Tarn regulations. Night carp confirmed — Lac du Laouzas is specifically mentioned in the Tarn arrêté. Year-round (hors zones de réserves). Light signal required. Vegetable baits. Immediate release. Source: pechetarn.fr + arrêté réglementaire permanent 2025
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Lac du Laouzas. Boats permitted — launch ramp at Rieu-Montagné (usable from côte 770m NGF), also at Laouzas. Major water level variations. Navigation permitted.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac du Laouzas under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. Standard French bivouac law applies on night carp bank sectors.
Required permits & cards: Tarn departmental card (CHI). No-kill mandatory for all carp. Luminous device required.
Managed by AAPPMA Laouzas / FDAAPPMA 81. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac du Laouzas holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, 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 du Laouzas — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Laouzas / FDAAPPMA 81. 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 Laouzas / FDAAPPMA 81) 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 Laouzas, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Laouzas / FDAAPPMA 81 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Night fishing is permitted at Lac du Laouzas — always check the current rules with AAPPMA Laouzas / FDAAPPMA 81 before your session, as night carp regulations can change seasonally and vary by sector on larger waters.
Tarn is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Tarn or explore all of Occitanie.
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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