Filter by species, size, night fishing, boats and bivvy. Find venues near Allier and across all of France.
This intimate 10-hectare natural lake in Auvergne offers solid carp fishing with the added bonus of night sessions — ideal if you're chasing bigger fish in quieter conditions. Bank fishing only, so you'll have good access around the margins, and the mixed coarse species mean variety if the carp are quiet. Located 312 miles south of Calais, it's a worthwhile detour for anglers seeking a smaller, less pressured venue.
Practical note: Night fishing is permitted but requires confirmation with AAPPMA de l'Allier beforehand; you'll also need their local day ticket to fish.
Night fishing at Plan d'eau des Champins is not permitted. Night carp not confirmed on this lake. Allier night carp is only authorised on specific designated venues per annual arrêté préfectoral. Many Allier venues require advance reservation. Check the current list at federation-peche-allier.fr/les-parcours-peche-de-carpe-de-nuit/ before fishing at night. Source: federation-peche-allier.fr/les-parcours-peche-de-carpe-de-nuit/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Plan d'eau des Champins under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by AAPPMA de l'Allier. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Plan d'eau des Champins holds carp, pike, perch, bream, tench. 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 Plan d'eau des Champins — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de l'Allier. Licences are available online before your trip.
Join to unlock full rules, night sectors, access notes and local camping spots for Plan d'eau des Champins and 96,200+ venues across France, Belgium, Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Czechia.
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 Plan d'eau des Champins, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de l'Allier is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Plan d'eau des Champins is 312 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Allier is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Allier 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.
Other public fishing venues near Plan d'eau des Champins on PiscaMaps: