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Retenue de Joux is a compact 10.7-hectare trout and pike reservoir in the Rhône region, offering bank fishing only across varied shoreline for targeting brown trout, rainbows and pike. Day fishing only (no night sessions) makes this best suited as a daytime session venue during a broader French trip, roughly 370 miles south of Calais. You'll need a FD 69 day ticket or AAPPMA membership to fish here.
Retenue de Joux is 368 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 Joux is not permitted. Night carp NOT authorised on this lake. The Rhône federation (peche69.fr) explicitly states: 'la pêche de nuit est interdite sur la totalité des lacs et étangs public du département du Rhône'. Only the Rhône and Saône rivers are authorised for night carp. Source: peche69.fr/1646-peche-de-la-carpe-de-nuit.htm Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Retenue de Joux under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by FD 69 (Fédération de Pêche du Rhône). Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Retenue de Joux holds brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, pike. Pike fishing is a highlight of the venue — spinning, deadbaiting and lure fishing are all effective methods.
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish Retenue de Joux — you will also need to be affiliated with FD 69 (Fédération de Pêche du Rhône). Licences are available online before your trip.
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1st Category (Salmonid) water. Trout season: 14 Mar–20 Sep 2026. No night fishing permitted. Carp/coarse: all year.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (FD 69 (Fédération de Pêche du Rhône)) 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 Joux, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FD 69 (Fédération de Pêche du Rhône) is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Retenue de Joux is 368 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Rhône is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Rhône 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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