Night Carp Fishing in Pas-de-Calais

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Pas-de-Calais on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 74 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

No French department is closer: the Pas-de-Calais starts at the ferry ramp, and the Canal de Calais is authorised for night carp fishing within sight of the port. A dedicated prefectural order, updated in-year by a consolidated version, opens carp fishing all year on two networks. The waterways run right across the department — the Canal d'Aire through Béthune and Lillers, the Neuffossé and old Aire canal at Arques and Aire-sur-la-Lys, the canalised Aa, the Calais, Audruicq and Mardyck canals, the Deûle, the Souchez, the Lys at Saint-Venant, the upper Scarpe, the Canal du Nord and the Houlle canal at Saint-Omer. Twenty-five stillwaters fill in the rest, including the Aire-sub-Lys gravel pits, the great marsh at Annay-sous-Lens, the Arras-area marshes at Fampoux, Feuchy, Roeux and Athies, and the federation waters at Éperlecques and Plouvain, several of which you can book online. The code of practice is one of the strictest in France, and it is enforced: plant baits or boilies only, four rods (two on federation lakes) within ten metres of you, back-leads compulsory, no boats or bait boats after dark, green bivvies only with a light marker and prior permission, white or yellow lights, and a five-night maximum on any one stretch.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Pas-de-Calais

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

Official list — Pas-de-Calais fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Pas-de-Calais, 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 Pas-de-Calais (62) a good destination for a night carp fishing trip from the UK?

It is the closest option there is — the Canal de Calais is authorised within sight of the ferry port. A dedicated prefectural order opens carp fishing all year across the waterway network (Canal d'Aire, Neuffossé, canalised Aa, Calais, Audruicq and Mardyck canals, Deûle, Souchez, Lys, upper Scarpe, Canal du Nord and the Houlle canal) plus twenty-five stillwaters, from the Aire-sur-la-Lys gravel pits and the Annay-sous-Lens marsh to the Arras-area waters at Fampoux, Feuchy, Roeux and Athies and the federation lakes at Éperlecques and Plouvain, some bookable online. The code of practice is strict and enforced: plant baits or boilies only — no maggots, worms, deadbaits or livebaits — four rods (two on federation lakes) within ten metres of you, back-leads compulsory, no boats or bait boats at night, green bivvies only with a light marker and prior permission, white or yellow lights, five consecutive nights maximum on one stretch, walking access only on towpaths, and no fires. Nothing may be fished within 50 m either side of a public waterway structure.