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Petit Selvet is a modest 13.9-hectare reservoir in the Cantal mountains, offering bank-only carp fishing in a scenic, quieter setting—ideal if you're seeking a less pressured alternative to bigger waters. The venue holds decent populations of carp alongside pike and tench, though it's 432 miles from Calais and best suited to a wider French trip rather than a standalone destination. Note: day fishing only (no night sessions), and you'll need a valid AAPPMA licence from Riom-ès-Montagnes to fish here.
Night fishing at Retenue du Petit Selvet is not permitted. Night carp not authorised on this lake. Cantal's mountain/river waters are predominantly 1st category. Source: auvergne-peche.fr Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Boat fishing: Boat access is restricted at Retenue du Petit Selvet.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at Retenue du Petit Selvet under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Managed by AAPPMA de Riom-ès-Montagnes. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
Retenue du Petit Selvet holds carp, pike, perch, tench. 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 du Petit Selvet — you will also need to be affiliated with AAPPMA de Riom-ès-Montagnes. 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 de Riom-ès-Montagnes) 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 du Petit Selvet, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with AAPPMA de Riom-ès-Montagnes is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Cantal is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Cantal 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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