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Public water carping
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scar

Posts: 6021

#19 23 Jul 2025 at 9.58am

In reply to Post #14
Minor irritants

The only trouble I have ever seen and not been involved with was car damage at Salagou many years ago which at the time, was widely believed to be Gypsy problems and not local Anglers.

Be polite, be respectful even when bending rules and all should be well with the World.

nicksmith1

Posts: 636

#18 21 Jul 2025 at 3.35pm

In reply to Post #17
Each region / area in France has a federation peche (which governs fishing in the area) and a website which will detail all the categories of water for fishing in that specific area, rules etc. They don't tend to list every water! You can also buy your carte de peche through the same site. Category 2 waters is what you'll be looking for in terms of carp fishing. They may also detail night zones and areas of no fishing. Some federations have an automatic translator thingy you set to English and it translates for you, others you may have to use google translate or whatever. They are a good starting point for finding out information on your chosen 'patch of blue' but sometimes the information can be outdated or no info at all on the water you have chosen. This doesn't mean you can't fish, just that some more homework or legwork is needed. Some federations also use Facebook to give out more up to date information and generally there will be a link in the federations website if this exists. They are a starting point for researching venues - not the be all and end all but they give basic information that could help out. Just type in Federation Peche to google and you’re away. If you want more specific info drop me a PM.

junglist

Posts: 771

#17 21 Jul 2025 at 7.21am

In reply to Post #16
What's the federation website?

Does it have an English version or do you have to use Google translate?

nicksmith1

Posts: 636

#16 20 Jul 2025 at 8.18pm

In reply to Post #15
Pretty much that easy. The federation websites have plenty of supporting information once you've found that patch of blue...I've been fishing a few waters over the last few years that fall outside the jurisdiction of the federations, we call them the 'wild west' waters... These, if you can find them, can be really interesting and full of surprises 😉

junglist

Posts: 771

#15 20 Jul 2025 at 8.08pm

I know everyone says just go and find a bit of blue on the map

But is it really that simple?

vossy1

Posts: 7149

MODERATOR

#14 20 Jul 2025 at 1.46pm

In reply to Post #13
Not even trolling Pikers....your fibbing

scar

Posts: 6021

#13 20 Jul 2025 at 12.31pm

In reply to Post #1
I have been fishing the public waters of France for close on 40 years and never had a problem with other Anglers or anyone else for that matter.

AideyKaye

Posts: 932

#12 14 Jul 2025 at 10.34pm

In reply to Post #1
I've done it just the once, and i'm itching to go again. I didn't set out to catch monsters, and I don't think I ever will. Not knowing the stock is a massive pull for me. I always told myself I'd do things differently and fish the places that the vast majority of French anglers fish, be it the canals, rivers, or the "communal" pits.

When I popped over I fished 5 venues in 5 days, and absolutely loved it. I think only on one occasion did I share any water with another angler, and that was one chap 200 yards away on a 40 acre park lake in a northern department.

I wanted a nice easy feel for it, and despite the amount of venues I'd picked, it was an amazing experience to not speak English for 5 days. I took time out to walk other venues, popped into a leisure centre to have a shower, and walked the squares of a couple of places to have a beer, a ciggy and soak in the atmosphere. The only broken english I spoke was to the department chairman of the first venue I arrived at, who kindly put me onto another venue when he informed me they had moved all the stock from one lake to another, and then put me on fish due to the absolutely perfect conditions we had. He was a proper carper himself, and made yearly trips to the UK, even taking time out of his evening to pop down and say hello. I owe that man a lot and hope I get to fish one of his waters again some day.

To be honest, the popularity of it now will no doubt have made things more difficult in some ways, hence why I have no interest in fishing the likes of Rainbow, or any of the more well known barages further south. I'll probably stick to the north, fishing low stock little weedy ponds with some old dark ones, just as I like to do here.

With most things in angling, it's what you want out of it. If you just want to wet a line in peaceful surroundings, then you have a lifetimes worth of fishing just in the north of the country alone...

LochLondon

Posts: 182

#11 14 Jul 2025 at 9.27am

In reply to Post #8
This is spot on - have a bit of humility when speaking with the locals, either anglers or GDP and you'll likely be absolutely fine. A little effort goes a long way, that combined with not setting up right next to someone etc. A bonjour when you see someone is often all it takes.

If you get picked up by a lure angler, there's no need to kick off & make a scene of it, there are ways around it (backleads, tips down etc.).

As TCarper said, there's a massive world of waters across Europe to explore, more than anyone could fish in a lifetime, get out there and explore - the buzz is unreal!

TCarper

Posts: 4113

#10 11 Jul 2025 at 8.34am

In reply to Post #8
Bloody well said Nicky, & you too Nexus.

There are so many scared anglers, who always try to impart their own personal fears onto everyone else. I spent my life fishing public venues. Never had any real problems. Had far more problems fishing locked in syndicates with 50 rabid carpers.

All I ever heard while fishing the Thames was "are you crazy"? Why? What is there to be scared of exactly? Travellers? Drunks? Druggies? So what, that's life. I became friends with a few of the travellers from the Chertsey site. One of whom was so desperate to purchase my old dog. Even people like TH will only fish it from the safety of a boat.

There's a massive world out there outside of the UK syndicate/club lake scene on public venues. France and Europe even more so. You just have to be brave enough to go out there and get it.

Living your life in fear, not doing the things you really want to, is a waste of life.

nexus6

Posts: 100

#9 10 Jul 2025 at 4.52pm

In reply to Post #8
“I must be doing something right”
From what you say and how the locals react to you, it’s obvious that you are doing things 100% right!
Keep making friends and enjoying the journey. A man after my own heart.

nickyp

Posts: 388

#8 10 Jul 2025 at 7.54am

In reply to Post #7
I've fished on the public scene for the last 10 years and never once experienced any hostile behavior from the locals. In fact I've had quite the opposite experience, becoming friends with many French anglers, as well as those from other countries too.

Its all about respect and accepting this isn't your local water. It isn't the same as the UK pay lake scene which is a complete **** show and free for all at the best of times. If you turn up with that mentality don't be surprised when it attracts attention for the wrong reasons.

In my experience I've found that trying to speak the local language, not fishing at extreme ranges, being respectful to the predator anglers, and fishing legally are the key to avoiding drama on these trips.

I'm sure there's always going to be the odd occasion where someone is randomly targeted, but I'd say the chances are extremely low.

Unfortunately with the increased media attention being given to this style of fishing, and the constant stream of YouTube videos being pumped out, its led to a large rise in UK anglers trying this type of angling for the first time. Unfortunately most don't have a clue and this is where the problems occur. The increased use of drone footage in these videos, and the lack of effort that goes into protecting the lakes identity have also played a part in shifting the attitudes of the locals. You can't blame them.

Now i'm not saying the locals don't take the piss sometimes as well, but its their lake at the end of the day, and we're merely just guests.

You have to put yourself in the mindset of the locals who are getting hacked off at turning up to their water to find it full of "foreigners". If the shoe was on the other foot then you'd see the same things happening in the UK too.

Like I said, I must be doing something right. Ten years without a single issue and nothing but good memories, new friends and some amazing pins saved on my phone maps

In my humble opinion.

nexus6

Posts: 100

#7 25 Jun 2025 at 3.55pm

In reply to Post #6
Maybe I’ve been lucky or your friend was unlucky?
I’m not naive. Public water fishing anywhere has its risks. One of the big problems is ‘name’ anglers posting everything. I always throw into the conversation that I’m total non publicity.
There was a post on a FB group regarding a big Lyon park lake. People saying it was v iffy. Having fished the lake in question I posted that it was no worse than any London park lake and that common sense ruled.
Crime in rural France is much lower than in the UK Home Counties, but as we all know there are undesirables everywhere.
Most of the French carpers are young (like the UK ‘Korda Generation’). I find when I meet them they love to ask about tackle and the UK bait scene.
Unfortunately as the older predator focused anglers die out Carp fishing will take over, just as it has in the UK. Which long term means busier lakes that the French will want to keep for themselves and who can blame them for that?
It’s already noticeable that in some Departments night fishing has to be prebooked, or lakes where it’s weekends only or no boats allowed. The Wild West free for all in France is well and truly over.
If I was French I’d look at Brit anglers with suspicion. Too many pay lakes are full of stolen big carp from public waters. ’

vossy1

Posts: 7149

MODERATOR

#6 25 Jun 2025 at 3.17pm

In reply to Post #5
But it does happen.

I used to go to France with a 50+ year old accountant, a nice bloke and like me not the sort to advertise he's a angler by what he wears. I started a business and had to stop fishing for a few years so he started fishing French public waters. He went twice a year for 3 years and had his car tyres slashed on one trip and his windows put through on another (different venues). He decided to stop PW fishing from then on, I don't blame him tbh. This was in the mid 0's so hopefully things have changed, though it'll only ever be in the minority, especially given the explosion in Carp angling, here and abroad.

Mind you I’ve still had pretty much all my markers pinched by some of the old boy ****s!

nexus6

Posts: 100

#5 25 Jun 2025 at 1.41pm

In reply to Post #4
In 30yrs of French fishing I’ve never had any problems. In my experience when I meet French, Dutch, Belgian or German anglers they are almost always friendly and willing to share info. It’s a major edge if you have/try a few words in French and approach people in a friendly way.
Same goes for the Guard de Peche. Be polite & respectful and then no problems. I’ve been caught breaking rules many times over the years, but an apology and feigned ignorance have always seen me proud. Never been fined.
I’ve even noticed a change in the French predator anglers this year in some Departments - winding in their lines and going slowly past my spots with a friendly wave. Something unheard of a few years ago. Mind you I’ve still had pretty much all my markers pinched by some of the old boy ****s!
Other British anglers however are a different kettle of fish. At least half of those I meet are ignorant morons……….mind you in the last month I have only met one other Brit.


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