French Fishing Guide

Fish Species in France

Discover the fish species you can catch in French rivers and lakes. From the trout streams of the Alps and Pyrenees to carp ponds and big rivers with wels catfish, France offers one of Europe's most diverse freshwater fishing scenes.

The Most Common French Species

French rivers, canals, and lakes from Brittany to Provence are home to classic European species that can be caught from the bank or from a boat.

Brown trout

Truite fario

Salmo trutta

The queen of French mountain rivers, “truite fario” in French. Lives in clean 1st-category waters from the Alps and Pyrenees to Brittany and Corsica. Caught on the fly, lures and natural baits. National minimum size 23 cm, 25 cm in many départements.

1st-category trout waters (mountains & foothills)mid-March – mid-September

Northern pike

Brochet

Esox lucius

France's favourite predator, “brochet”. Lives in lakes, canals and slower river stretches nationwide; metre-plus trophies come above all from Lac du Der-Chantecoq. National minimum 50 cm, often raised to 60 cm; daily limit max 2 pike within the 3 predators allowed.

Lakes and big riverslate April – late January

Zander

Sandre

Sander lucioperca

A prized predator of big rivers and reservoirs, “sandre”. Great zander waters include the Loire, Saône, Rhine and reservoirs like Pareloup and Vouglans. National minimum 40 cm, often 50 cm; closures vary by département.

Lakes and big riversMay/June – late January (by département)

Perch

Perche

Perca fluviatilis

The ever-present striped predator, “perche”. A great lure and street-fishing target — from the Seine in Paris to alpine lakes where it grows to remarkable sizes. No national minimum size; local rules vary.

All of FranceYear round (2nd-category waters)

Common carp

Carpe

Cyprinus carpio

France is Europe's carp-fishing superpower, “carpe”. The Forêt d'Orient lakes, Brenne ponds, Somme valley and Dordogne backwaters produce fish over 20 kg. Night fishing is allowed only on prefect-designated stretches and night catches must be released.

Lakes and pondsYear round (2nd-category waters)

Roach

Gardon

Rutilus rutilus

The staple silver fish of French canals and rivers, “gardon”. Ideal for float and feeder fishing, loved by match anglers and beginners alike. Bites reliably year round almost everywhere.

All of FranceYear round (2nd-category waters)

Prized and Trophy Species

France also hides sought-after trophy fish — from giant wels catfish in big rivers to grayling in limestone rivers and salmon in Atlantic river basins.

Wels catfish

Silure glane

Silurus glanis

Europe's biggest freshwater fish, “silure glane”. The Rhône, Saône, Tarn, Loire and Seine produce fish over two metres. No national size or bag limit; since June 2026 special rules apply in the Loire and Adour-Garonne basins — wels may not be transported alive or restocked elsewhere.

Big rivers (Rhône, Saône, Loire, Tarn)May – October (best)

Black bass

Black-bass

Micropterus salmoides

A hard-fighting predator of North American origin, “black-bass”. Its heartland is the warm lakes of the Landes (Sanguinet, Léon, Soustons) and south-west France. National minimum 30 cm, often 40 cm; many venues are catch-and-release.

South-west (Landes lakes)May – October

Grayling

Ombre commun

Thymallus thymallus

The fly angler's flagship, “ombre commun”. The most famous grayling waters are the limestone rivers Loue and Doubs in Franche-Comté and the river Ain. Minimum 30 cm (often 35 cm); the season only opens in mid-May and top venues are often no-kill.

1st-category trout waters (mountains & foothills)mid-May – mid-September

Atlantic salmon

Saumon atlantique

Salmo salar

The king of migratory fish, “saumon atlantique”. The best waters are the Gave d'Oloron in the Pyrenees, Normandy's Sée and Sélune and historically the upper Allier. A special regime applies: supplementary stamp, mandatory tagging and catch declaration, per-basin quotas; Brittany is closed for 2025–2026.

Salmon rivers (Gave d'Oloron, Allier, Normandy)by river basin (special regime)

Other Freshwater Species

Beyond the best-known fish, French waters offer plenty of other interesting species for float, feeder, and fly fishing.

Barbel

Barbeau fluviatile

Barbus barbus

A powerful fish of the current, “barbeau fluviatile”. Lives in the middle and lower reaches of rivers such as the Loire, Allier, Tarn and Rhône. A sought-after opponent for feeder and ledgering in strong flow.

Big rivers (Rhône, Saône, Loire, Tarn)Year round (2nd-category waters)

Chub

Chevesne

Squalius cephalus

A wary omnivore, “chevesne”. Found in almost every French river from the foothills to the lowlands. A great target for surface baits, fly and lures in the summer months.

All of FranceYear round (2nd-category waters)

Tench

Tanche

Tinca tinca

The golden-green jewel of ponds and weedy lakes, “tanche”. A typical resident of the pond country of Brenne and Sologne. Feeds best in the warm months on vegetable baits and worms near the bottom.

Lakes and pondsMay – September

Common bream

Brème

Abramis brama

A shoaling fish of calm waters, “brème”. Abundant in canals, lakes and slow rivers across northern and central France. A staple catch for feeder and float anglers, with shoals often counting dozens of fish.

Lakes and pondsYear round (2nd-category waters)

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