Planning A Carp Fishing Trip – Important Questions Answered

If you’re currently planning a French carp fishing trip, have a look at the Q&A below for choosing the right venue.

Organising a carp fishing holiday – especially in France – is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. With so many lakes to consider, it’s easy to miss important details that could make or break your trip. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned angler heading back across the Channel, asking the right questions early on will save time, money, and potential disappointment.

Are you looking for a runs water or a big-fish challenge? Do you want a social lake, or one of the many small exclusive carp lakes in France where you and your group can enjoy total privacy? How far are you prepared to travel from the port? Do you need on-site accommodation, or are you happy bivvying for the week?

These are just some of the key considerations that should shape your decision.

In this guide, we answer the most common and most important questions anglers ask when planning a carp fishing trip to France. From lake size and stock density to facilities and travel logistics, this Q&A will help you book a venue that truly matches your expectations.

1. There are only two of us anglers, can we book a lake exclusive to ourselves?

Yes, you certainly can – and if you’re searching for small exclusive carp lakes in France, there are some excellent options available.

We have a variety of small exclusive carp lakes in France perfectly suited to smaller groups, offering privacy, manageable water sizes and great value.

Simple two or three angler lakes to take a look at are:

• Jonchery 7
• Jonchery 8

Both of those lakes are simple bivvy-only venues, but the complex does offer good facilities, optional food packages and bait on site too.

If you want a bit more comfort we have a selection of two or three angler lakes with lakeside lodges or cabins:

• Ilot
• The Carp House
• Le Repaire
• Eau de Vie North
• Eau de Vie South
• Linstant

So, in summary if you’re a pair looking for peaceful, private carp fishing, there are an excellent range of small exclusive carp lakes in France that combine exclusivity, affordability and quality fishing.

Find all of the lakes mentioned above listed here: View all of our Carp Fishing Lakes

2. How much of an advantage is having a lake to yourself?

There are in fact pro’s and cons.

Let’s start with the seemingly obvious pro’s… Exclusivity gives your group complete control to decide how it’s fished and enables an immense amount of flexibility. This is really beneficial so you can maximise your options without worrying about other anglers who are not in your group. You can for instance, trickle feed or rest swims to move onto later or at night or follow the carp around if they are on the move. It enables you to stalk around a lake without treading on other anglers toes. For these reasons too it can be more relaxing and less like a competition.

The cons… Some lakes (Blue Lake and Laroussi among them) can benefit from having an even distribution of anglers all around the lake. Remember carp will often move away from pressure and if you are the only anglers on a normally busy water, you may have to work harder or move to get your results.  

3. Do I need special tackle for a French carp fishing trip? Can I use my normal carp fishing tackle I would use in the UK?

Generally, yes, you can use your normal fishing tackle – with a few things to consider. Fishing in most French lakes is no different to fishing over here in Blighty. Except the carp are usually much bigger, the weather is generally better and you tend to catch more prolifically. You don’t suddenly need big pit reels etc to fish any of the lakes unless they are huge and you are fishing at 300 meters!

However, the lakes do take fish safety very seriously and usually demand that you use at least a 42” landing net and a large & high standard of unhooking mat.

15lb min breaking strain line also appears to be the norm and you might have to increase your hook size.

So always check out the lake rules to make sure you’re okay and if you are any item of tackle missing, look to see if the lake have them on site or hire them. Don’t forget all the owners will happily discuss tackle with you and answer your specific questions.

If you need to pick up some bits and pieces before you travel then check out Angling Direct’s Carp Fishing Section for a huge range of items.

You’ll also find that some French carp lakes offer full tackle hire as part of an all inclusive trip. You can find over 10+ quality lakes that offer full tackle hire here: Our French Carp Lakes with Tackle Hire

4. How do I choose the best carp lake in France for me?

There are so many options available, so if you want to get a quick start then look at these key aspects and follow these simple steps:

Size of carp   

Ask yourself realistically what size would you be happy to catch? Emeraude and Old Oaks are lakes with seriously BIG carp in them, but in turn they are generally trickier to catch and you may be waiting longer for the action to happen. If being in with the chance of a new personal best or landing a monster 80lb+ carp is more important than the buzzers going off often, these lakes are well suited.

Difficulty of the lake 

You can also view this as the number of runs you can reasonably expect. Some waters can be hard and a blank could happen but some are genuinely classed by us as runs waters. There are many in between.  So find the right balance. The feedback will tell you very clearly how well lakes fish, it’s accurate and honest! Lakes like Vincons and Cailleaux make it very difficult to blank.

Look at your own carp fishing experience 

What are your objectives for the holiday? It’s no good being a novice and choosing a hard water if you really want plenty of action and to come back with plenty of carp in the photo album. If you are a relatively inexperienced angler, choose a lake where there is a good bailiff who can offer advice or a water which shows very good catch rates. Travelling with friends who can give you some support is also a great idea.

You invest a lot in a holiday so make sure you give yourself the best chance of a successful trip. Lakes such as Lillypool and Laroussi have well recommended and respected bailiffs in the form of Richard and Mehdi. Both are experienced, friendly anglers who are happy to give you advice if needed.

5. Taking non-anglers on your French carp fishing trip

If you are taking non anglers or need accommodation – ensure that the accommodation/facilities detailed on the website are an adequate standard for the fussiest of the people going. Your holiday can be ruined if you ‘over sell’ the accommodation and your non angler is unhappy all week because they were expecting 4* accommodation in a 2* mobile home! 

We have some absolutely cracking venues that you’d be happy to holiday at, even without the fishing. Some even have swimming pools and hot tubs. Below are some of our most popular French carp lakes with luxury accommodation:

1. Landes
2. Mystique
3. Mas Bas Main Lake
4. Maniere
5. Lakeview
6. Mas Bas Lotus Lake

Find all of the venues above here: 20+ Carp Lakes in France with Accommodation

All of our venues show local tourist attractions and points of interests on the map – so check them out!

6. How far do I need to travel for my carp fishing holiday?

One of the most subjective decisions you can make. We advise on the mileage and drive time to each of our venues. However for me, it’s more important to get the lake right than worry about travelling an extra hour or so. You will be there all week so enjoying your lake is paramount. If that lake happens to be further away you need to look at the added costs of the fuel and tolls.

Many of our lakes that are further away tend to be a little cheaper anyway to balance this out, but you do need to consider the driver.  There are very cheap options though that can counter distance too.  B&B’s and hotels in France are very cheap and leaving on a Friday and staying halfway over night can actually improve your holiday, and take all the stress out of the journey. (We will happily recommend places to stay depending how far your journey is … so just ask)

Alternatively, for those that want the lakes closest to the port of Calais take a look at these lakes under three hours:

1. Souvenirs
2. Deux Iles
3. Beaurepaire
4. Seigneurie
5. Sky Lake

Want more help deciding on your next Carp Fishing Trip?

Whilst we try to give you all the information you’ll ever need to make your decision on the website, you can always ring or email us at Angling Lines for advice, we visit the lakes & we know what they are like and often a quick chat will help you pinpoint your best option. We won’t sit on the fence and our advice is honest.

Search for your perfect carp fishing trip here – Carp Fishing in France