Night Carp Fishing in Lot-et-Garonne

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Lot-et-Garonne on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 35 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

Lot-et-Garonne is one of the most open departments in south-west France for night carp fishing. The prefectural order in force allows carp at any hour, all year, on nineteen named stillwaters and on long stretches of river and canal: the whole Canal latéral à la Garonne through the department (87 km), 82 km of the river Lot upstream of the Aiguillon dam, seven marked Garonne zones between Layrac and the Gironde boundary, two sections of the Baïse, two of the Gélise and 500 m of the Dropt, with one upstream Garonne zone limited to 1 August–31 December. Lakes range from Ganet at Galapian and La Riconne at Penne-d'Agenais to Clarens at Casteljaloux, Cancon, Coulon at Monflanquin, Bajamont and Laubarède at Prayssas. Agen is the natural base, about an hour from Bordeaux and Toulouse by train or motorway. Rules: plant-based or meat baits but no dead or live fish, bank fishing only and no boat even for baiting up or placing lines, rods watched from one central point, a white or yellow light at your swim, and no carp kept in captivity or transported. Two lakes carry an extra rule from the order: Bajamont is catch-and-release for carp day and night, Laubarède for carp and pike.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Lot-et-Garonne

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

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Lot-et-Garonne, 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 Lot-et-Garonne (47) a good destination for a night carp fishing trip from the UK?

Yes, and it is one of the most generous departments in south-west France. The prefectural order in force allows carp fishing at any hour, all year, on nineteen named stillwaters and on long stretches of river and canal: the whole of the Canal latéral à la Garonne through the department (87 km), 82 km of the river Lot upstream of the Aiguillon dam, seven marked zones on the Garonne between Layrac and the Gironde boundary, two sections of the Baïse, two of the Gélise and 500 m of the Dropt. One upstream Garonne zone is open only from 1 August to 31 December. Lakes include Ganet, La Riconne, Talives, Brayssou, Lescouroux, Bajamont, Lambronne, Clarens, Cancon, Coulon and Laubarède. Agen sits in the middle of it all, an hour from Bordeaux and Toulouse airports by train or motorway, in prune-and-vineyard country that is easy for non-fishing travellers. Rules: plant-based or meat baits but no dead or live fish, bank fishing only with no boat even for baiting up, rods watched from a single central point, a white or yellow light must mark your swim, and no carp kept or transported. Bajamont is catch-and-release for carp day and night; Laubarède is catch-and-release for carp and pike.