Europe
Fishing in
France 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·France46.23°, 2.21°
Trip types in Frankreich
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- www.cartedepeche.fr, fishing shops, bars/tobacconists, newspaper kiosks
- Cost
- Day ticket: €17 | Annual local ticket: €70-100 | Inter-federation: €105-110 | Women's ticket: €30/year | Children under 12: free
- Validity
- Annual ticket or day ticket
- Available online?
- Yes
Strict regulation by water category and fish species with daily catch limits
Buy fishing license for France online
Official authority website
Book fishing tours in France
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Category 1 (trout waters): 2nd week of March to 3rd week of September | Category 2: Year-round except pike only 1st May to last Sunday in January | Fishing times: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Catch limits
- Salmonids: max. 6 per angler/day | predatory fish (pike, perch, black bass): max. 3/day, max. 2 pike | sea bass: max. 3 specimens per angler/day (April-December)
- Prohibited methods
- Night fishing generally prohibited, exceptions for carp
- Catch & Release
- Declaration obligation via RecFishing app for certain species
France has a huge fishing culture! The distinction between Category 1 and 2 is fundamental. Carp fishing (night fishing) has its own rules and a large community.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Loire-Region (Pike, Pike-perch, Carp)
- —Südliche Alpen/Alpes-Maritimes (Brown Trout (Fario), Wildforellenbäche)
- —Verdon & Ubaye (Pike, Carp, Wels Catfish, Roach)
- —Doubs/Jura (Trout, Graylings)
- —Languedoc-Roussillon (vielfältige Fischbestände)
Freshwater
Lakes, rivers, streams in trout waters and other categories
Saltwater
Sea fishing with bass regulations (max. 3 specimens/day, April-December)
€60-150 per day
Best season: March to September (Category 1), year-round with restrictions (Category 2)
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Rods minimum 2.75 lb test curve for large carp | robust reels necessary | quality equipment available in local fishing shops
- Fishing guides
- Qualified fishing guides recommended for beginners | Cost: €60-150 per day
- Transport
- Hand truck for equipment recommended | car equipment: warning triangle, safety vests, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, spare bulbs required
- Safety
- Life jacket (PFD) most important equipment on water | on carp boats: wear properly fitted life jacket | before each trip: check equipment for wear
- Customs & taking fish home
- Use local expertise in fishing shops | environmental awareness and rule compliance are standard
05
Cost Overview
License fees
Annual ticket (beginner): €10-30 | Annual ticket (inter-federation): €105-110 | Day ticket: €17 | Women's ticket: €30/year
Guide prices
€60-150 per day
Daily budget
Accommodation: €30-80/night | Food: €20-50/day | Day ticket: €17 | Total budget with guide: €150-250/day
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in France
Equipment
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