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This substantial 116-hectare reservoir in the Ain offers excellent mixed fishing with solid carp and catfish populations, plus pike and zander for variety — ideal if you want to explore beyond dedicated carp lakes. Night fishing is permitted in designated zones, and motorboats are allowed, giving you flexibility to cover ground and fish distance. Located 371 miles southeast of Calais in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, it's a rewarding destination for adventurous UK anglers. You'll need a French fishing licence and membership of the local RLHB or AAPPMA group to fish here.
At 371 miles from Calais, Retenue d'Allement requires a longer journey from the UK, but Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — one of France's most varied fishing regions, with venues ranging from Alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Retenue d'Allement 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: Boats are permitted at Retenue d'Allement. The retenue d'Allement is classified as domaine public fluvial (2ème catégorie, rivière d'Ain). On the domaine public, all motor types are generally allowed in the absence of a specific restricting arrêté préfectoral. No specific navigation arrêté restricting motor type on the retenue d'Allement has been found in public sources (unlike Lac de Sylans where thermal motors are banned by arrêté préfectoral 25/09/2024, or Lac de Nantua). No VNF péage listed for this retenue (VNF péage applies only to boats >9.9 CV on VNF-managed waterways — verify with VNF/DDT Ain). Standard public-domain boating rules apply: boat registration required if >5 m OR motor >4.5 kW (6 CV); permis bateau (eaux intérieures) required for motors >4.5 kW; standard safety equipment (EIF per person, écope, extincteur if thermal motor, coupe-circuit if >4.5 kW). No dedicated fishing-boat permit or launch fee identified for Allement specifically — confirm with APABR. Night fishing from a boat is prohibited per ARP 2025 carp-night rules (berges only).
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Retenue d'Allement under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. No specific arrêté banning bivouac/overnight stays has been found for the retenue d'Allement. Standard French law applies: bivouac (temporary overnight stay with light camping gear) is tolerated on public land, but full camping/fire-lighting is subject to local municipal rules. The nearby Camping de Chambod is referenced for anglers seeking accommodation. No AAPPMA-specific bivouac permit or fee identified — verify with APABR and the commune of Poncin/Serrières-sur-Ain.
Required permits & cards: Standard Ain département fishing licence (carte de pêche) with CPMA vignette required. APABR card (or valid réciprocité card covering the Ain domaine public) gives access. The retenue is domaine public: any AAPPMA member with a valid national/departmental or réciprocité card may fish with 1 line; APABR membership required for 4 lines (2ème catégorie). No specific supplementary night-carp permit fee identified publicly — confirm with APABR (apabr.fr). No boat launch (mise à l'eau) fee identified publicly for Allement. Correction: RLHB is NOT the managing AAPPMA for the Retenue d'Allement — it is APABR. RLHB manages the Haut-Bugey lakes (Sylans, Samognat-Matafelon).
Managed by RLHB (Retenue des Lacs du Haut Bugey). Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Retenue d'Allement holds carp, catfish, 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 Retenue d'Allement — you will also need to be affiliated with RLHB (Retenue des Lacs du Haut Bugey). 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 (RLHB (Retenue des Lacs du Haut Bugey)) 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 Retenue d'Allement, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with RLHB (Retenue des Lacs du Haut Bugey) is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Retenue d'Allement is 371 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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