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Retenue de Saint-Pierre-Cognet is a scenic 107-hectare alpine reservoir in Provence offering solid carp prospects alongside pike and perch, with reliable bank access across varied terrain. Day-fishing only (hydro-power restrictions apply), so plan shorter sessions around this mountain venue roughly 460 miles south of Calais. You'll need an AAPPMA day ticket from La Gaule du Trièves — contact ahead to confirm current availability and any seasonal restrictions typical of alpine reservoirs.
At 459 miles from Calais, Retenue de Saint-Pierre-Cognet requires a longer journey from the UK, but Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur — a stunning region with mountain lakes, large reservoirs and excellent carp fishing in the south — rewards the trip.
Night fishing at Retenue de Saint-Pierre-Cognet is not permitted. Night carp is not authorised in Hautes-Alpes. The department is dominated by mountain lakes and salmonid waters (1st category) where night carp fishing is prohibited. Verify with peche-hautes-alpes.com if this is a 2nd category lake with a specific parcours designation. Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boats are permitted at Retenue de Saint-Pierre-Cognet. EDF barrage — RPPN de Saint-Pierre-Cognet.
Required permits & cards: Isère or Hautes-Alpes card. Specific RPPN applies.
Managed by AAPPMA La Gaule du Trièves / FDAAPPMA 05. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Retenue de Saint-Pierre-Cognet holds carp, pike, perch, zander, 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 Saint-Pierre-Cognet — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA La Gaule du Trièves / FDAAPPMA 05. 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 La Gaule du Trièves / FDAAPPMA 05) 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 Saint-Pierre-Cognet, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA La Gaule du Trièves / FDAAPPMA 05 is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Hautes-Alpes is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Hautes-Alpes or explore all of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
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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