| France is a country that has a wonderful variety | | | | something that you will need for all fresh water |
| of fishing from the North through to the South | | | | fishing. |
| and caters for fly fishing, course and game fishing | | | | When it comes to catfish and carp fishing, you |
| on a wide range of rivers and lakes. Plus there is | | | | can get a licence to do this in the local rivers or |
| plenty of coast line for the sea angler to enjoy as | | | | public lakes, but the majority of people will want |
| well. | | | | to opt for a carp fishing holiday on a dedicated |
| Carp fishing, cat fishing, not forgetting course and | | | | lake. And when you go to a dedicated privately |
| pike fishing are just some of the holidays that | | | | owned lake for carp fishing, cat fishing, etc, then |
| you can enjoy in France and whilst some places | | | | you will not normally have to worry about getting |
| cater for the dedicated angler, others are more | | | | your own individual licence as this will already have |
| family orientated with accommodation and | | | | either been sorted out by the travel agency or |
| activities for the non fishers. | | | | the owner under their regulations. |
| There are several types of fishing holiday available | | | | Boats are allowed to be used quite a bit in France, |
| and for trout fishing, you would need to book | | | | but you may need to have a separate part to |
| from around the middle to end of March up until | | | | your licence to enable you to use a boat, even if |
| around the first week of September, which is the | | | | it is only for baiting. But be careful if you have an |
| only time frame you are allowed to fish for trout | | | | echo sounder in your boat, as you are not |
| in France. | | | | allowed to have both this and your tackle in the |
| In certain areas of France, salmon fishing is | | | | boat at the same time! |
| prohibited all year, so it is always best to check | | | | Also, night fishing is prohibited in a lot of places in |
| on the area you are going, prior to thinking that | | | | France, but when on a private fishing lake, or if |
| you will be able to get a licence for fly fishing, just | | | | with the correct licence on certain waters, this |
| like that. | | | | can be allowed. If not, then you can only fish half |
| Every country has numerous different regulations | | | | hour after sunrise to half hour before sunset. |
| and France is no exception, with specific rules in | | | | Some places on the rivers seine, rhone, mosselle, |
| place for what type of fish you can catch, when | | | | oise, madine and rhine, etc do allow night fishing, |
| you are allowed to catch certain species of fish | | | | but there are many places that do ban the use of |
| and what equipment you are allowed to fish with. | | | | a bivvy or tent even if night fishing is allowed and |
| For some, this can be a daunting prospect, | | | | you may only get away with a brolly! |
| especially if you are not fluent in French, and | | | | Sea fishing off of the Atlantic coast is excellent |
| although in some areas it will be easier than | | | | and you will be pleased to know that a licence is |
| others to organise your fishing venue and licence, | | | | not needed, and you can go out on a boat to |
| it is often easier to pre-organise your fishing | | | | catch bass, conger eels and even tuna or surf |
| holiday, so do try and get as much information as | | | | cast for sea bream to name but a few. |
| possible. | | | | Fly fishing for salmon and trout is available in lots |
| You must have a fishing licence to fish in rivers, | | | | of public canals and navigable rivers but as with |
| streams and lakes throughout France unless these | | | | most countries, these will also contain other fish |
| are privately owned or booked as a fishing holiday | | | | such as Pike, so beware! However some of the |
| where the fishing licence requirements are | | | | best places to try your hand at fly fishing are |
| normally included, but it is advisable to check this | | | | often owned by groups and in this case you |
| out before you travel! | | | | would need to pay the owners for a permit to |
| If you need to obtain your own fishing permit, | | | | fish as well as having your licence. |
| these can usually be obtained from the local | | | | Some of the best salmon fishing in France can be |
| fishing tackle shop or alternatively from the local | | | | found in the Pyrenees Atlantiques and the river |
| bar or tobac. But if you are not sure on what is | | | | Loire is also a major salmon fishery for France. |
| required then you can get advice from the local | | | | Some of the best fishing in France is for course |
| tourist information board, which can also provide | | | | fishing where you will find lots of different species, |
| maps of where you can and cannot fish. | | | | but with carp, catfish and pike being in abundance, |
| If you are only going to be on holiday in France | | | | especially in areas such as the Dordogne, Lot and |
| for a short time, then you can get what is known | | | | Charente Maritime. But if you like fishing for black |
| as The Carte de Peche de Vacances, which | | | | bass, the river Rhone is known as a premier bass |
| covers an angler for up to fifteen consecutive | | | | fishery, as is the river Saone. |
| days and can be used between 1st June and 30th | | | | The fishing dates and times do vary each year in |
| November. However, outside of these dates an | | | | France, so it is always advisable to check on |
| annual fishing licence is mandatory. | | | | these before planning your fishing holiday, and at |
| An annual permit may be used for the whole | | | | the end of the day, forget about the headaches |
| year but bear in mind that this will only be for one | | | | of the licences, just enjoy the whole experience |
| department unless you get it stamped for | | | | and you too could be in with a chance of catching |
| different areas that you may go to and this is | | | | a fish that has never been caught before! |