Freshwater fishing

Verified 14 March 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You want to fish in fresh water and you want to know the rules? Freshwater fishing concerns open water. National regulations are adapted to the local level. We tell you the conditions to fulfill (fishing card) and how to get the information to fish in your department.

To fish in fresh water, you must have a fishing card valid for the area where you fish.

This card proves that you meet the 3 conditions required to fish:

  • Be member of an approved association fishing
  • Have paid the royalty for the protection of aquatic environments
  • Have the authorization of the holder of the fishing right

FYI  

the fishing card is not mandatory during the annual day for the promotion of fisheries, fixed on 1er June Sunday.

You can request the card online on the cartedepeche.fr website.

Several fishing cards are available according to your age (adult/child) and your practice fishing (daily fishing, all year round...).

Recreational freshwater fishing: ask for the fishing card

The card is also available in associations or authorized depositories: retailers of fishing articles, press, cafe, convenience stores displaying "Here, fishing cards".

Each approved fixed fishing association freely the price of the fishing card.

The price includes multiple contributions : association, federation, protection of the aquatic environment.

If necessary, the price also includes a reciprocal vignette (pooling of fishing grounds between several associations).

The federal contribution shall be fixed per person within the following ceilings:

  • Fishing throughout the year: €10
  • Fishing for 7 consecutive days: €4
  • Fishing for 1 day: €1

For the fishing of fry, salmon and sea trout, a supplement of €20 is payable.

The freshwater fisheries rules at national level are adapted at local level : fishing period, fishing hours, number and size of catches, fishing methods...

The rules vary mainly depending on ranking in 1re or 2e category of open water.

  • 1re category : rivers, bodies of water and lakes primarily populated by trout or in which trout are to be protected
  • 2e category : watercourses, canals and bodies of water not classified in 1era category

Specific rules apply to amateur fishermen with gears and nets.

To know the rules, see:

  • the Prefectural Decree published and posted in town hall
  • and documents of your association authorized to fish and departmental federation.

You can consult online and download the fishing guide for your department :

Recreational freshwater fishing: know the rules and fishing area in your department

Also see the charter of the recreational fisherman.

You can fish in the open water following:

  • Private watercourses and bodies of water if authorized to do so by the right holder
  • Fishing lots of your approved fishing association
  • Fishing lots managed by an approved fishing association with which yours has a reciprocal agreement
  • Everywhere in France, in the waters of the public domain, with a single line

All fishing is forbidden in the following locations:

  • Nature reserve and temporary fishing reserve
  • Device ensuring the circulation of fish in works built on the beds of watercourses
  • Pertuis, water passage inside buildings
  • From dams and locks
  • 50 meters downstream of the end of dams and locks, except fishing with a line

You can consult online and download the fishing grounds of your department :

Recreational freshwater fishing: know the rules and fishing area in your department

When to fish?

The fishing period depends on whether the open water.

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Waters in the 1st category

Rivers, bodies of water and lakes primarily populated by trout or in which trout are to be protected

Rivers, bodies of water and lakes primarily populated by trout or in which trout are to be protected

From 2e saturday in march to 3e including sunday in september.

All pike captured on 2e Saturday from March to the last Friday of April must be immediately released.

Waters in 2nd category

Watercourses, canals and bodies of water not classified in 1era category

Watercourses, canals and bodies of water not classified in 1era category

All year round

There are exceptions for the following fish:

  • Pickerel. From the last Saturday in April to the last Sunday in January of the following year.
  • Common shadow. From 3e Saturday from May to December 31 inclusive.
  • Brook trout, char, Arctic char, cristivomer, rainbow trout.
    Of 2e saturday from march to 3e Sunday in September in streams or parts of streams classified as salmon or sea trout.

You can consult online and download the fishing guide for your department :

Recreational freshwater fishing: know the rules and fishing area in your department

What times?

Fishing can take place one 1/2 hour before sunrise and up to one 1/2 hour after sunset.

The night fishing is forbidden.

Fishing card

Fishing without a fishing card is punished by a fine of up to €450.

If you fish without your fishing card, you risk a fine of €38.

Fishing location

A angler who fishes in a prohibited area shall be fined up to €750.

Fishing period

Failure to comply with the opening periods of the fishery shall be punished by a fine of up to €450.

Fishing hours

Failure to observe the authorized hours for fishing is punished by a fine of up to €450.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region