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Plan d'Eau des Lésines is a compact 14-hectare reservoir in the Ain region (385 miles from Calais) offering solid carp and tench fishing in a peaceful setting, with designated night-fishing zones allowing extended sessions for committed UK visitors. The no-boat policy keeps the venue quiet and intimate, ideal for anglers seeking a less pressured alternative to busier French waters. You'll need to obtain a permit from the local AAPPMA (Ain fishing federation) and check current night-fishing zone boundaries before your trip.
Night fishing at Plan d'Eau des Lésines is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Ain's 2026 arrêté only covers specific designated venues (Lac de Barterand, Étangs du Comte, de la Rica, Plan d'eau de Glandieu, La Malourdie casiers 3/4/10, Plan d'eau de Cormoranche, plus Ain/Rhône/Saône river sections). Source: federation-peche-ain.com/parcours-carpes-de-nuit/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Plan d'Eau des Lésines. According to Haut-Bugey Tourisme (official tourist source): boat and float tube fishing possible, with a supplement of €15. According to peche-cevennes.com (older source): navigation strictly prohibited. The two sources are contradictory. No engine type specified; likely non-motorised craft only. Radio-controlled bait boats prohibited according to the older source. Verify directly with the local AAPPMA (tel. 06 48 27 63 35).
Required permits & cards: Yes — specific permit from the local fishing club required (standard reciprocal licence not accepted — to verify). Pricing: adult annual €42, under-16 annual €25, adult day €15, under-16 day €10. Supplements: night fishing weekend €35, boat €15. Contact: AAPPMA local (tel. 06 48 27 63 35) to confirm current pricing and access rules.
Managed by FD 01. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Plan d'Eau des Lésines holds carp, pike, perch, 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 Lésines — you will also need to be affiliated with FD 01. 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 (FD 01) 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 Plan d'Eau des Lésines, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FD 01 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Plan d'Eau des Lésines is 385 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Ain is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Ain 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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