Retenue de Pincemaille is a vast 200-hectare reservoir in the Loire Valley offering excellent night carp fishing, with the Rillé zone particularly renowned among European specimen hunters—perfect if you're planning extended sessions. The shallow margins and extensive shallows suit traditional carp tactics, while electric motor boats are permitted for exploring the fishery (no petrol). You'll need an AAPPMA licence (contact GIH Pays de Racan locally) and should book ahead as this is a serious destination; it's roughly 250 miles from Calais, making it a solid mid-trip or standalone destination.
Night fishing at Retenue de Pincemaille is permitted but with restrictions. Night carp in Indre-et-Loire is authorised on specific designated parcours per annual arrêté. Loire valley gravel pits and river sections are the main venues. Check peche37.fr for the current arrêté and list before fishing at night. Source: peche37.fr
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Retenue de Pincemaille. Boats, float-tubes and punt-boats strictly forbidden for fishing on the entire lake all year. The lake is also adjacent to Lac des Mousseaux — fishing is forbidden from the dike separating the two lakes.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Retenue de Pincemaille under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires. Bivouac permitted at the 5 designated night carp pegs. The lake is managed by Fédération de Pêche d'Indre-et-Loire (fedepeche37.fr).
Required permits & cards: Indre-et-Loire departmental card. Standard CHI/EHGO reciprocity. Maximum 3 carnivores/day (max 2 brochet).
Managed by AAPPMA GIH Pays de Racan. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
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Retenue de Pincemaille holds carp, catfish, pike, perch, zander, 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 Pincemaille — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA GIH Pays de Racan. 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 GIH Pays de Racan) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
To fish Retenue de Pincemaille, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA GIH Pays de Racan is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online. Retenue de Pincemaille is 252 miles from Calais — plan for a full travel day from Calais.
Indre-et-Loire is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Indre-et-Loire or explore all of Centre-Val de Loire.
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