Night carp · 30

Night Carp Fishing in Gard

Venues sourced from the prefectural decree in force.

venues
26
rivers and canals
19
public lakes
6
private waters
1

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Gard on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 26 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

Positions shown to within 1 km. The precise swim map is for members.See the map

Featured — largest lake

Barrage des Camboux – Rive gauche – Sainte-Cécile-d'Andorge

19 ha

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Verified venues

Venues sourced from the current prefectural decree; private estates follow their operator's rules.

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Night fishing rules — Gard

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

Official list — Gard fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Gard, 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 Gard a good destination for a night carp session from abroad?

Yes — the Gard offers legal night carp fishing on the Rhône and its branches (Pont-Saint-Esprit, Vallabrègues, Aramon, Fourques, the Petit-Rhône and the Rhône-Sète canal), on the Gardon, the Cèze and the river Ardèche, plus several lakes such as the Perrier ponds at Vergèze and the Praden at Beaucaire. Most river stretches are open year-round; a few waters (Vidourle, Praden, Camboux) run on seasonal windows. Everything sits at the gateway to the Camargue and within easy reach of the A9 motorway, Nîmes and Montpellier airports. Stretches are bank-only, vegetable baits and night catch-and-release, set by prefectural decree; always check the on-site signs and the official map before you settle in.

In the Gard, night carp fishing centres on the Rhône and its branches: the river at Pont-Saint-Esprit, at Vallabrègues and Aramon, several left-bank stretches at Vallabrègues, the Grand Rhône and the Petit-Rhône at Fourques, the Petit-Rhône down to the Sylvéréal lock, the old Rhône at Vallabrègues, and the Rhône-Sète canal at Beaucaire and Bellegarde. There is also the Gardon (Comps, Ners, Maruéjols-lès-Gardon and Montfrin), the Cèze at Codolet, the Vidourle between Sommières and Villevieille, and the river Ardèche (DPF lot 7, near Pont-Saint-Esprit), plus several lakes — the Perrier ponds n° 4 and n° 5 at Vergèze, the Charpentier water at Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas, the Praden at Beaucaire and the Camboux reservoir at Sainte-Cécile-d'Andorge. On the Rhône, Gardon, Cèze, Ardèche, the canal and the Perrier ponds, night fishing is open year-round; it is seasonal on the Vidourle (9 June to 30 December), at the Praden (30 June to 30 November) and at the Camboux reservoir (1 May to 12 September). Everywhere the rule is the same: bank-only, vegetable baits, catch-and-release at night, on the stretches set by prefectural decree. Gateway to the Camargue and the Pont du Gard, the département is easily reached via the A9 motorway and Nîmes airport. Note: night carp fishing is strictly forbidden on the Rouvière dam.