Night carp · 71

Night Carp Fishing in Saône-et-Loire

Venues sourced from the prefectural decree in force.

venues
59
rivers and canals
38
public lakes
13
private waters
8

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Saône-et-Loire on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 59 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

Positions shown to within 1 km. The precise swim map is for members.See the map

Featured — largest lake

Étangs de Torcy-Neuf et Leduc

159 ha

See the venue

Verified venues

Venues sourced from the current prefectural decree; private estates follow their operator's rules.

Explore on the Geocarp map

Night fishing rules — Saône-et-Loire

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

Official list — Saône-et-Loire fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Saône-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 Saône-et-Loire a good destination for a carp fishing trip from the UK?

Yes. It is a straightforward inland drive on the A6 and combines legal night fishing on the river Saône, the Loire and the Canal du Centre with Burgundy's Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise wine country. Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon make convenient bases, with accessible, well-marked night-carp stretches designated by prefectural decree.

Saône-et-Loire, in southern Burgundy, sits right on the A6 motorway between Paris and Lyon and offers night carp fishing across three main waters: the river Saône — the department's main carp axis, from Verdun-sur-le-Doubs down through Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus and Mâcon — the river Loire around Digoin and Marcigny, and the Canal du Centre, sectorised from Chalon to Paray-le-Monial. Smaller Bresse rivers (the Seille, Solnan and Doubs), the Arroux, and several lakes and private estates open at night complete the picture. At night only carp may be targeted — catfish and other species are prohibited — and fishing is bank-only, with plant baits, catch-and-release, on stretches designated by prefectural decree.