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Le Trou Bleu is a sprawling former quarry in Loire-Atlantique offering excellent mixed fishing across 144 hectares, with solid populations of carp alongside pike, zander and tench for variety. Bank fishing only, but the vast water and diverse habitat means plenty of room to find your own swim without day-only restrictions limiting your strategy—though night fishing isn't permitted here. Located 307 miles from Calais, it's a committed drive south, but rewards the journey with quality carp water; you'll need an AAPPMA day ticket from Fédération Pêche Loire-Atlantique 44 to fish legally.
Night fishing at le Trou Bleu is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Loire-Atlantique requires specific authorisation. About 40 designated sites across the department. Check the interactive map (updated 09/01/2026) at federationpeche44.fr/ou-pecher/ before fishing at night. Source: federationpeche44.fr
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at le Trou Bleu. Large lake — boats likely permitted. Verify locally.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at le Trou Bleu under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Loire-Atlantique card (EHGO).
Managed by FDAAPPMA 44 / Fédération Pêche Loire-Atlantique. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
le Trou Bleu holds carp, pike, perch, zander, 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 le Trou Bleu — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 44 / Fédération Pêche Loire-Atlantique. 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 (FDAAPPMA 44 / Fédération Pêche Loire-Atlantique) 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 le Trou Bleu, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 44 / Fédération Pêche Loire-Atlantique is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. le Trou Bleu is 307 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Loire-Atlantique is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Loire-Atlantique or explore all of Pays de la Loire.
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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