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Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron is a substantial 74-hectare reservoir in central France offering excellent mixed fishing with healthy carp populations in a scenic setting, located 271 miles south of Calais near Bourges. Night fishing is permitted across five designated zones, giving you flexibility for extended sessions, and the bank-only format suits traditional carp anglers with plenty of accessible swims around the perimeter. You'll need an AAPPMA licence from the Bourges association to fish here—pick one up locally or arrange in advance to avoid delays.
Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron lies 271 miles from Calais — a comfortable day's drive for visiting anglers heading into Centre-Val de Loire, a central region with excellent pike, perch and carp fishing across its river systems and lakes.
Night fishing at Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron is not permitted. Night carp not confirmed on this lake. Cher's authorised night carp venues are: Étang du Puits, Étang de Précy, Étang de Quincy, Étang des Grèves (Belleville), Étang des Trois Biches (Chezal-Benoît), Étang des Tailles Rondet (Venesmes). Source: federationpeche18.fr/la-reglementation/peche-a-la-carpe/ Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron. Large leisure lake near Bourges — boats permitted. Verify motor restrictions.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by AAPPMA de Bourges. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers — fish to 34kg have been recorded. All carp should be handled with care and returned promptly. A landing mat and unhooking mat are essential kit for any carp session.
Record 34kg (Colinmaire)
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Bourges. 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 Bourges) 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 du Val d'Auron, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Bourges is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Plan d'Eau du Val d'Auron is 271 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Cher is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Cher or explore all of Centre-Val de 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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