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Retenue de Cambernard is a compact 26-hectare reservoir in the Pyrenees foothills offering solid mixed fishing for carp, catfish, tench and bream from the bank. Day-only fishing means you'll need to plan shorter sessions, but the diverse species and scenic mountain setting make it worth a visit if you're exploring southern France beyond the well-trodden northern venues. You'll need a valid French fishing licence and AAPPMA card from Haute-Garonne (FDAAPPMA 31) — pick one up locally or arrange in advance.
At 517 miles from Calais, Retenue de Cambernard requires a longer journey from the UK, but Occitanie — a region of warm summers and excellent coarse fishing, particularly for carp and catfish — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Retenue de Cambernard is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Haute-Garonne requires specific prefectoral authorisation. The department has a mix of lowland retenues (mainly near Toulouse) where night carp is authorised and Pyrenean waters where it is prohibited. Check the 2026 guide at fede-peche31.com/5969-guide-de-peche-annuel-du-31.htm for the full list. Source: fede-peche31.com
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Retenue de Cambernard under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by FDAAPPMA 31 / Fédération Pêche Haute-Garonne. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Retenue de Cambernard holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, tench, bream, black bass. 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 de Cambernard — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 31 / Fédération Pêche Haute-Garonne. 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 31 / Fédération Pêche Haute-Garonne) 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 de Cambernard, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 31 / Fédération Pêche Haute-Garonne is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Haute-Garonne is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Haute-Garonne or explore all of Occitanie.
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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