Night carp fishing is legal in Orne on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 3 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.
The Orne is a small, carefully managed department rather than a roving destination — but it sits in the heart of Normandy, an easy run from Caen or Ouistreham, which makes it a realistic short-break option. The prefectural order in force opens exactly three waters to carp fishing at any hour. Lac de Rabodanges at Putanges-le-Lac is the headline: a dammed lake in the Suisse Normande gorges, open all year on numbered swims that can only be reached by boat. The river Sarthe at Alençon gives a 420 m town-centre stretch through the Parc Courbet and the arboretum, open all year and walkable from a hotel. The municipal lake at Coulonges-sur-Sarthe is the weekend option — Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights plus the eve of public holidays, closed through July and August and on pike opening weekend, with float tubes allowed but no other craft. Booking in advance is compulsory for both Rabodanges and Coulonges. Rules everywhere: plant-based baits and groundbait only, immediate release of everything caught, four rods maximum kept beside you.
Status verified against the current prefectural decree.
Lac/Étang
Le principal intérêt touristique proche du Belforet Lake est la découverte des paysages naturels de la Champagne, propices à la détente et à l'observation de la faune. La région offre également la possibilité de visiter des caves et domaines viticoles renommés.
Explore on the Geocarp mapLac/Étang
L’Étang de Pesnel se situe à proximité du parc naturel régional Normandie-Maine, offrant de belles possibilités de randonnées et de découverte de la nature. La région est également connue pour son patrimoine rural et ses villages typiques de l’Orne.
Explore on the Geocarp mapLac/Étang
Le principal intérêt touristique proche de St Leonards Carp Lakes, dans l'Orne (61), est la découverte du bocage normand et de ses paysages verdoyants. La région offre également un riche patrimoine historique avec ses villages typiques et ses manoirs.
Explore on the Geocarp mapAlways check the departmental fishing federation's official list before your session.
Yes, on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Geocarp lists these venues with maps, access details and angler reports.
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).
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).
It works best as a short Normandy break rather than a big-water expedition, and Caen or Ouistreham puts you an hour away. The prefectural order in force opens three waters to carp fishing at any hour. Lac de Rabodanges at Putanges-le-Lac, in the Suisse Normande, is open all year but only on numbered swims reached by boat, with advance booking required. The river Sarthe at Alençon offers a 420 m stretch on the right bank through the Parc Courbet and arboretum, open all year and walkable from town. The municipal lake at Coulonges-sur-Sarthe is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and the eve of public holidays, closed in July and August and on pike opening weekend, booking required, float tubes permitted but no other craft and no boats or drones for baiting. Common rules: plant-based baits and groundbait only, immediate release of every fish, four rods maximum kept next to you.