Night carp fishing in France, department by department
In France, carp may only be fished at night on 2nd-category stretches designated by a prefectoral order (art. R436-14 of the Environment Code). This guide brings together, for the 96 mainland departments, what the order in force says: 73 departments have authorised night stretches, with their conditions (plant-based baits, release, bank fishing) and a link to the text.
What the guide contains
- The national rule explained: fishing hours, carp at any hour, number of rods, what is forbidden at night (with the articles of the Environment Code)
- All 96 departments one by one: night carp status, conditions of the order, links to the text and to the local federation
- The 2026 fishing licence prices recorded (annual, weekly, day) where the federation publishes them
- The specific carp rules recorded (carp over 60 cm, transport, no-kill)
- The most common conditions, counted over the 73 orders that allow night carp fishing
Format: 20-page A4 PDF, to print or keep on your phone, plus the online version.
Delivery: instant access, right after payment.
For the carp angler planning a night session or a fishing holiday in France.
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In pictures
Illustrative photos, published by their authors under free licences.
What the recorded orders say
- 73 departments allow night carp fishing on designated stretches
- 2 departments (Corsica) have no provision in their 2026 order
- 21 departments could not be checked for 2026: the guide gives the national rule and the federation
Free extract: three departments
Three entries exactly as they appear in the guide.
30 — Gard
Night carp fishing allowed on designated stretches
Conditions : From the bank, at any hour: all year on sectors of the Rhône, Petit-Rhône, Gardon, Ardèche (lot 7), the Rhône-to-Sète canal…; Vidourle (Sommières) from 9 June to 30 December; Praden lake (Beaucaire) from 30 June to 30 November; prohibited at the Rouvière dam.
Text : pechegard.com · Federation : pechegard.com
2026 licences : prices not recorded: see cartedepeche.fr
88 — Vosges
Night carp fishing allowed on designated stretches
Conditions : From 1 April to 10 December inclusive on listed stretches (Bouzey lake, the Moselle at Chavelot, federation pond no. 2 at Châtel-sur-Moselle, the Madon at Mirecourt and Mattaincourt, the Vair at Viocourt, the Meuse at Bazoilles); from the bank only, hair rig, no carp kept at night. The federation page does not state the year: rule in force on 2026-09-23.
Text : peche88.fr · Federation : peche88.fr
2026 licences : prices not recorded: see cartedepeche.fr
2A — Corse-du-Sud
No night carp provision in the 2026 order
Conditions : No provision for night carp fishing in the 2026 order (a single 2nd-category water, the Tolla dam).
Text : corse-du-sud.gouv.fr · Federation : truitecorse.org
2026 licences : prices not recorded: see cartedepeche.fr
Who it is for
- The carp angler from the UK or elsewhere who wants to know, before the drive, whether the lake is a night stretch and on what terms
- The angler on holiday in France who needs the right licence for the department
- Clubs and tour organisers who brief their members
How to use the guide
It is not an official document: only the prefectoral order of the year is binding, and the exact stretches (banks, limits) are in its annexes or on the federation website, linked in each entry. Where a department could not be checked for 2026, the guide says so instead of guessing. The French wording of each order prevails over our translation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fish for carp at night anywhere in France?
No. By default fishing stops half an hour after sunset (art. R436-13). Carp at any hour is only allowed on the 2nd-category stretches designated by the prefect, for the period he sets (art. R436-14 5°).
Can I keep a carp caught at night?
No: at night no carp may be kept or transported (art. R436-14 5°). Many orders go further: every fish caught at night returned, keep sacks prohibited.
Do I need a special licence?
The ordinary French fishing licence (membership of an AAPPMA, bought on cartedepeche.fr, weekly and day tickets exist) is usually enough; some stretches require booking or a fee. The guide gives the 2026 prices recorded and the federation link.
Is the information up to date?
It was recorded on 2026-09-23 from the 2026 orders and federation websites; each entry cites its text. The 2027 orders are usually published in December or January: check the text of the year before your session.
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