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Lac du Taurons is a compact 16-hectare reservoir in deepest Auvergne offering solid carp and tench fishing from the bank in a peaceful mountain setting—perfect if you're seeking tranquillity over big-fish venues. Located 385 miles south of Calais, night fishing isn't permitted here, so plan daylight-only sessions; the intimate scale and diverse species mix make it ideal for a relaxing mid-trip break rather than a dedicated carp mission. You'll need an AAPPMA day ticket from Champs-sur-Tarentaine; contact them in advance as remote venues can have limited access points.
At 385 miles from Calais, Lac du Taurons requires a longer journey from the UK, but Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — one of France's most varied fishing regions, with venues ranging from Alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Lac du Taurons is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Cantal's mountain/river waters are predominantly 1st category. Source: auvergne-peche.fr Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat rules at Lac du Taurons are unconfirmed — verify with the local AAPPMA. No boat/navigation rules specific to Lac du Taurons were found in any searched source, including the prefectural arrêté or AAPPMA pages. The AAPPMA blog mentions only 'pêche du bord ou en float tube' for competitions on the lake, suggesting bank and float-tube fishing are practised, but no explicit general boat prohibition or authorisation was confirmed for 2025–2026. Recommend contacting AAPPMA de Champs-sur-Tarentaine directly to confirm. Note: the lake is classified 1ère catégorie hydroelectric reservoir (retenue hydroélectrique).
Required permits & cards: Standard fishing licence (carte de pêche) via AAPPMA de Champs-sur-Tarentaine required. A separate crayfish permit is required to fish crayfish (mentioned in the Cantal arrêté). No additional lake-specific day permit or supplement found. Two rods per angler are authorised (vs. one on regular 1ère catégorie waters), as the Taurons is explicitly listed among hydroelectric reservoirs with the two-line derogation in the 2024-2064 arrêté. Maggot fishing without groundbaiting is permitted (listed derogation). No extra boat permit info found.
Managed by AAPPMA de Champs-sur-Tarentaine. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac du Taurons holds carp, pike, perch, tench, bream. 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 Taurons — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Champs-sur-Tarentaine. 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 de Champs-sur-Tarentaine) 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 Taurons, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Champs-sur-Tarentaine is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Lac du Taurons is 385 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Cantal is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Cantal 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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