Night Carp Fishing in Côtes-d'Armor

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Côtes-d'Armor on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 12 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

The Côtes-d'Armor works differently from most French departments, and in the angler's favour: instead of naming a handful of swims, the prefectural order in force opens carp fishing at any hour across every second-category river and stillwater in the department. That covers the whole of inland Brittany, from the Canal d'Ille-et-Rance to the big Guerlédan reservoir, with a single three-day suspension in spring for the benefit of predator anglers. It is a genuinely exploratory department — you pick your water rather than book a peg — and Saint-Brieuc, Saint-Malo and Roscoff ferries all put you within easy reach. Six lakes do require you to notify the federation beforehand: Jugon-les-Lacs, Bétineuc, Pellinec, Guébriand, Callac and the Étang du Château at Corlay. The trade-off for all that access is a tight rule set: plant baits and groundbait only, four rods maximum, lines cast from the bank with no boat use and no further than 100 m in front of your swim, immediate release of every carp and an outright ban on moving carp at all. Pike reservoirs and the day-only coaching and match venues are excluded.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Côtes-d'Armor

Always check the departmental fishing federation's official list before your session.

Official list — Côtes-d'Armor fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Côtes-d'Armor, France?

Yes, on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Geocarp lists these venues with maps, access details and angler reports.

Do I need a French fishing licence?

Yes. A valid French fishing licence (carte de pêche) is mandatory and can be bought online at cartedepeche.fr. Some venues require an additional night carp option from the local angling club (AAPPMA).

What baits are allowed at night in France?

Vegetable baits and boilies only. Any carp caught at night must be released immediately — keeping or transporting carp at night is prohibited by French law (decree 2004-599).

Is the Côtes-d'Armor (22) a good destination for a night carp fishing trip from the UK?

Yes, and it is unusually open: the prefectural order in force allows carp fishing at any hour on all second-category rivers and stillwaters in the department, rather than on a named list of swims. Inland Brittany is therefore yours to explore, including the Canal d'Ille-et-Rance and the Guerlédan reservoir, with one three-day suspension in spring. Six lakes need advance notification to the federation — Jugon-les-Lacs, Bétineuc, Pellinec, Guébriand, Callac and the Étang du Château at Corlay. Rules are strict in return: plant baits and groundbait only, four rods maximum, lines cast from the bank with no boat use and a 100 m limit in front of the swim, immediate release of every carp and no transporting of carp at all. Pike reservoirs and the day-only match and coaching venues are excluded. Saint-Malo and Roscoff ferries make access easy.