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Lac du Vivas is a secluded 7-hectare natural lake in the Hautes-Alpes offering quality carp fishing in stunning mountain scenery, just over 500 miles from Calais. Night fishing is permitted on the downstream section from late March to late October, making it ideal for dedicated sessions, though access is bank fishing only (float tubes allowed on the upstream lake). You'll need an AAPPMA permit from La Gaule Durançole to fish here—well worth arranging in advance given the remote location and seasonal restrictions.
Night fishing at Lac du Vivas is not permitted. Night carp is not authorised in Hautes-Alpes. The department is dominated by mountain lakes and salmonid waters (1st category) where night carp fishing is prohibited. Verify with peche-hautes-alpes.com if this is a 2nd category lake with a specific parcours designation. Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Lac du Vivas under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Hautes-Alpes card (non-reciprocal). Verify with peche-hautes-alpes.com.
Managed by AAPPMA La Gaule Durançole. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Lac du Vivas holds carp, pike, perch, 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 Vivas — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA La Gaule Durançole. Licences are available online before your trip.
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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 Vivas, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA La Gaule Durançole is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Hautes-Alpes is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Hautes-Alpes 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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