Retenue de Charmine-Moux is a 61-hectare reservoir in the Ain region offering excellent mixed fishing with carp, catfish, pike and tench across diverse margins and deeper zones—a genuine alternative to busier French venues around 366 miles south-east of Calais. Night fishing is permitted in designated marked zones, making extended sessions feasible, and electric boats are highly recommended for accessing the best swims. You'll need a French fishing licence and must contact AAPPMA Villars-les-Dombes beforehand to confirm current night zones and boat regulations.
Retenue de Charmine-Moux is 366 miles from Calais. For UK anglers willing to make the drive into Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — one of France's most varied fishing regions, with venues ranging from Alpine lakes to lowland reservoirs — the fishing is well worth it.
Night fishing at Retenue de Charmine-Moux 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 Retenue de Charmine-Moux. Boats (barques) authorised but thermal motors are strictly forbidden on the entire retenue — confirmed by federation-peche-ain.com (domaine privé page), the Mairie de Samognat, AAPPMA RLHB 2025 rules, and absolu-peche.fr. Electric motors and rowing permitted in the navigable zone. Navigation is additionally forbidden upstream of the 'barrage des Russes' and downstream of the RD18 bridge (within the réserve zone, ~500 m upstream of the Charmines dam). No permit cost identified for boat use beyond standard fishing licence.
Required permits & cards: Standard carte de pêche départementale réciprocitaire (AAPPMA Oyonnax, carte départementale réciprocitaire) required. The retenue is 2ème catégorie domaine privé de l'État, managed under public domain rules — no additional special permit identified beyond the standard annual licence. Pricing: standard adult annual card via cartedepeche.fr (price set by AAPPMA Oyonnax). No boat permit surcharge identified.
Managed by AAPPMA Villars-les-Dombes. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
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Retenue de Charmine-Moux 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 de Charmine-Moux — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA Villars-les-Dombes. 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 Villars-les-Dombes) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Retenue de Charmine-Moux, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA Villars-les-Dombes is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Retenue de Charmine-Moux is 366 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.
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