Night Carp Fishing in Landes

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Landes on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 21 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

In the Landes, night carp fishing splits into two very different worlds, all defined by the prefectoral order in force. To the west, the great coastal lakes: Cazaux-Sanguinet (Limite ditch to Liboy ditch), Parentis-Biscarrosse in marked sectors across Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born, Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born and Gastes, the Aureilhan lake at Mimizan on two stretches, and the Soustons lake (Airial and Roselière-Mathe du Bec sectors). These coastal sectors follow seasonal windows — 1 March to 31 July for most, 1 February to 30 April for two pegs at Parentis — and several border permanent reserves defined by a second order. Inland, the Adour is open all year by whole lots, from Aire-sur-l'Adour down to Dax via Grenade, Saint-Sever, Mugron, Tartas and Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, with point reserves around weirs and rock armouring; the Luy adds two stretches, from Sort-en-Chalosse to Saugnac-et-Cambran and from the Gué de Saugnacq to the Adour. About ten stillwaters round out the map, all open year-round: the Miramont and Gioulé reservoirs at Aire-sur-l'Adour, Agès lake (left bank) at Hagetmau, Bayle lake at Renung, Tailluret lake at Labastide-d'Armagnac, La Zac lake at Dax, Le Barit at Labouheyre and Tuquette (4 pegs). The same rules apply everywhere: vegetable baits or compound meals only, strict catch-and-release with no retention sacks, bank fishing only, neutral-coloured collapsible shelters, no fires, sectors marked every 100 m by the local angling clubs.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Landes

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

Official list — Landes fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Landes, 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).

Where can you night-fish for carp on the big lakes of the Landes?

The prefectoral order in force opens night carp fishing on the two large coastal lakes: Cazaux-Sanguinet, from the Limite ditch to the Liboy ditch, and Parentis-Biscarrosse, on marked sectors between Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born, Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born and Gastes — with two seasonal regimes depending on the sector (1 March–31 July or 1 February–30 April). The Aureilhan lake at Mimizan and the Soustons lake complete the coast. Vegetable baits or compound meals only, strict catch-and-release, bank fishing only, neutral-coloured shelters, no fires. Watch for the permanent reserves set by a second order: some pegs sit right next to them.