Recreational freshwater angling

Verified 31 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Do you need to join an association for freshwater angling ? What are the opening dates fishing? Where can we fish? Here are the main rules to know.

Yes, for angling in free waters, you must have a valid fishing card on the area where you fish.

However, you do not need a fishing card if you are angling in water bodies qualified as enclosed waters.

FYI  

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

You must meet the following conditions to angl in free waters :

  • Being a member of a approved association Fisheries and the protection of aquatic environments (AAPPMA)
  • Having paid the levy statutory
  • Paying the royalty for the protection of aquatic environments
  • Have the authorization of the holder of the fishing right.

Have the fishing chart proves that you meet the first 3 conditions.

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

The price includes 3 items :

  • Aquatic Environment Fisheries Assessment (AMPC) managed by the National Federation of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment Protection
  • Statutory contributions corresponding to the amounts due by the fisherman for his membership of the approved association and the departmental federation
  • Aquatic Environment Protection Charge (AMR.), paid to the Water Agencies.

Of options may be added. For example, to be able to fish on fishing grounds other than your association's. That's what we call the reciprocity.

You can buy online the fishing map on cartedepeche.fr:

Freshwater Recreational Fishing: Buy a Fishing Card

You can also buy the fishing card with the approved fishing association of which you are a member, or in a depositary  (retailer of fishing products, press, coffee shop, convenience store displaying "Here, fishing cards").

Freshwater fishing rules at national level are adapted to local level.

Ask the departmental fishing and aquatic protection federations.

Who shall I contact

Authorized locations

With your fishing card, you can fish in the open water following:

  • Fishing lots of your approved fishing association
  • Fishing lots managed by an approved fishing association with which yours has a reciprocal agreement
  • Throughout France, in waters where the right to fish belongs to the State (public domain) but only to one line
  • Non-federal watercourses or bodies of water (private domain) if the holder of the fishing right authorizes you to do so.

Prohibited places

Fishing is forbidden in the following locations:

  • In fishing reserves fixed by prefectural decree
  • In devices for the movement of fish
  • In holes, wrecks and in water passages inside buildings
  • From dams and locks and 50 meters downstream of them, with the exception of fishing with a line
  • On all properties where you do not have the authorization of the right holder.

Fishing hours

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

Of exceptions are however possible, by Prefectural Order, concerning the following species:

  • Fishing for sea trout may be authorized from half an hour before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset in certain sea trout streams listed by Ministerial Order.
  • Fishing for shad, of flounder, lamprey and the mule may be authorized from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset in federal waters where the right to fish belongs to the State.
  • Fishing for carp may be authorized at any time on specific routes laid down by prefectural decree.

Fishing period

The opening period of the fishery depends on the classification in 1re or 2e category of 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

Fishing is permitted from 2e saturday in march to 3e including sunday in september.

However, the opening of fishing for the common shadow is only the 3e Saturday in May.

Plus, everything 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

Fishing is allowed there all year round.

However, the opening period for fishing shall be limited for the following species:

  • Fishing for pike is authorized from 1er January to the last Sunday in January and from the last Saturday in April to December 31 inclusive.
  • Fishing for the common shadow is authorized from 3e Saturday from May to December 31 inclusive.
  • Fishing for brown trout, brook trout, brook trout, arctic char and cristivomer is authorized from 2e saturday from march to 3e including sunday in september.
  • Fishing for rainbow trout in streams or parts of streams classified as salmon or sea trout, is authorized from 2e saturday from march to 3e including sunday in september.

Warning  

Any freshwater fisherman who collects yellow eels must maintain a eel logbook

Fishing without a 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 in a prohibited place

Fishing in a forbidden place is punishable by a fine of up to €750.

Fishing during prohibited periods

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

Fishing during closed hours

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

Freshwater Recreational Fishing: Buy a Fishing Card

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