Night Carp Fishing in Indre-et-Loire

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Indre-et-Loire on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 62 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

If you want to fish the Loire under the châteaux, this is the department. The prefectural order in force allows carp fishing at any hour on a lot-by-lot network covering four big rivers. The Loire runs almost unbroken from Amboise to the Maine-et-Loire boundary, through Vouvray, Tours, Luynes and Langeais — wide, sandy, braided water with tufa cliffs and vineyards above it. The Cher does the same from Chenonceaux down to Villandry, in places directly below the châteaux themselves. The Vienne gives eleven lots from Candes-Saint-Martin through Chinon, and the Creuse eight more around Descartes and Yzeures. If you would rather sit still, a dozen lakes are open, including the two waters at Rillé, Le Brossard at Les Hermites and the lakes at Chambray-lès-Tours and Nazelles-Négron. Tours has an airport and a TGV station and is under four hours from Calais, and the château circuit means a fishing trip doubles as a family holiday. Conditions: no animal baits, single hooks only, bank fishing only within the marked zones, and everything caught during the night hours returned immediately — carp included. Some clubs add their own rules on their beats.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Indre-et-Loire

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

Official list — Indre-et-Loire fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Indre-et-Loire, 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 Indre-et-Loire (37) a good destination for a night carp fishing trip from the UK?

It is one of the best all-round choices in France. The prefectural order in force allows carp fishing at any hour on a lot-by-lot network across four rivers. The Loire is open almost continuously from Amboise to the Maine-et-Loire boundary via Vouvray, Tours, Luynes and Langeais; the Cher from Chenonceaux to Villandry, in places right below the châteaux; the Vienne on eleven lots from Candes-Saint-Martin through Chinon; and the Creuse on eight more around Descartes and Yzeures. A dozen lakes are also open, including the two at Rillé, Le Brossard at Les Hermites, Chambray-lès-Tours and Nazelles-Négron. Conditions: no animal baits, single hooks only, bank fishing only inside the marked zones, and immediate release of everything caught during the night hours, carp included. Tours is under four hours from Calais with an airport and a TGV station, and the château circuit gives non-anglers plenty to do.