Best Times & Seasons to Fish in France (Complete Guide)
France offers some of the best fishing in Europe. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.
The best times for fishing in France are in spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November), while early mornings and late evenings are great in summer. Winter fishing, though less popular, can be good for pike and zander, which remain active in colder temperatures.
| Month | France Fishing Location |
| January | Charente River – Winter pike and catfish fishing. |
| February | Seine River – Carp and zander in Paris. |
| March | Garonne River – Spring catfish hotspot near Toulouse. |
| April | Lake Annecy – Picturesque perch fishing in the French Alps. |
| May | Loire River – Blooming landscapes, perfect for zander. |
| June | Lake Geneva – Summer pike angling on the French-Swiss border. |
| July | Canal du Midi – Peaceful pike fishing in southern France. |
| August | Dordogne River – Trout fishing amidst scenic beauty. |
| September | Rhône River – Autumn catfish action in the southeast. |
| October | Lake Bourget – Colorful autumn pike fishing. |
| November | Rhine River – Perch angling on the eastern border. |
| December | French Atlantic coast – Winter saltwater fishing for sea bass and cod. |
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in France. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
Best Times: Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in France
The Dordogne River, Lot: Known for brown trout, this river is best fished in April and May during the mayfly hatches.
The Ain River, Bourg-en-Bresse: Big grayling and brown trout dominate here, with the best times to fish being March through June.
The Bachelard River, Ubaye Valley: This is a fly fisher’s paradise with brook trout, best fished in the warming months of June and July.
The Doubs River, Franche-Comté: Famous for its Zebra Trout, the best fishing months are May through July.
The Nive River, Basque Country: Prime for Atlantic Salmon, plan your fishing adventure here for May or June.
The Trieux River, Brittany: Noted for its sea-run brown trout, the river is best fished from April to June.
The Ognon River, Franche-Comté: Home to grayling and brown trout, it’s most productive from April through October.
The Chassezac River, Ardèche: Abundant in brown trout, the prime fishing season runs from March to June.
The Ardeche River, South-central France: Famed for its Mediterranean barbel, the best times to fish are from May to September.
The Gave d’Oloron River, Aquitaine: Renowned for its salmon and trout fishing, June through August are ideal months.
The Verdon River, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: The home of brown trout and grayling, it is best fished from April to October.
The Céou River, Dordogne: A haven for brown trout, the best fishing periods are from March to June.
The Loire River, Central France: Known for its Atlantic salmon, the most productive fishing period is from April to June.
The Gave de Pau River, Southwestern France: A top spot for salmon and trout, this river is best fished from April to September.
The Cère River, Cantal: This river, famous for its brown trout, offers excellent fishing from April to September.
The Allier River, Central France: A hotspot for Atlantic salmon, it’s most productive from May through July.
The Sioule River, Auvergne: Renowned for its wild brown trout, this river is best fished from March to October.
The Cure River, Burgundy: Offers fantastic trout fishing, particularly productive in spring and early summer.
The Dheune River, Burgundy: Home to a variety of trout, the optimal fishing period is from April to September.
The Aulne River, Brittany: Known for its sea-run brown trout, this river is most productive from March to June.
Best Times: Sections of Lakes to Fish in France
Lake Geneva, Haute-Savoie: Famed for its giant pike, this lake offers excellent fishing opportunities in the cooler months of March and April.
Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie: Known for its Arctic char and perch, you’ll find them biting most in the warmer months of July and August.
Lake du Bourget, Savoie: With its abundant zander and pike, the best times to fish are from May through November.
Lac de Saint-Cassien, Var: A renowned spot for massive carp, the best fishing period is from March to June.
Lac de Pareloup, Aveyron: Home to various species, such as pike and perch, it’s best fished from April to October.
Lac d’Orient, Aube: Renowned for carp and pike, the prime fishing months are March through November.
Lac de Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes: This lake is excellent for zander, and the optimal fishing season runs from April to October.
Lac de Vassivière, Limousin: Known for pike, perch and zander, the fishing season is best from May to November.
Lac de Madine, Meuse: Abundant with carp and catfish, this lake is best fished from April to October.
Etang de Thau, Hérault: Famous for its European sea bass and gilt-head bream, it’s best fished from March to November.
Lac de Sanguinet, Landes: With its pike and perch, the most productive fishing period is from April to September.
Lac de Grangent, Loire: Renowned for its pike and zander, the best times to fish are from April to October.
Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans, Gironde: Offering an abundance of pike and perch, the most rewarding fishing period is from April to November.
Lac de Paladru, Isère: This lake is a hotspot for pike and perch, with the best times to fish being from May to September.
Lac de Naussac, Lozère: Known for its carp, pike and zander, you can expect the best catches from April to October.
Lac du Der-Chantecoq, Marne: A paradise for carp and pike anglers, with optimal fishing times from March to November.
Lac des Settons, Nièvre: With an abundance of pike and perch, the best fishing season is from April to September.
Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet, Isère: Famous for its pike and perch, the most rewarding period for fishing is from May to October.
Lac d’Aiguebelette, Savoie: Renowned for its perch and pike, this lake is best fished from May to November.
Lac de Joux, Jura: This lake, known for its pike and perch, offers the best fishing experiences from April to September.
Best Times: France Saltwater Fishing
Bay of Biscay, Western France: Renowned for its bluefin tuna, the optimal fishing months are from June to November.
Côte d’Armor, Brittany: Known for its sea bass, the best fishing period is from April to October.
The English Channel, Normandy: A hotspot for Atlantic cod, it’s most productive from November to February.
Bay of Saint-Brieuc, Brittany: Famous for its scallops and flatfish, it’s best fished from October to April.
Côte Vermeille, Languedoc-Roussillon: This is an excellent spot for various species like bluefin tuna and dorado, best fished from May to October.
The Gulf of Lion, Southern France: Known for European hake and sea bass, the prime fishing months are from April to November.
Bay of Arcachon, Gironde: Abundant with European sea bass, the best fishing period is from March to November.
La Rochelle, Western France: Famous for its sole and sea bass, the best times to fish are from April to October.
Corsica Island, Mediterranean Sea: A haven for amberjack and bluefin tuna, the optimal fishing season runs from June to September.
Bay of the Somme, Northern France: Known for its plaice and sole, it’s most productive from March to November.
Côte d’Azur, Southeastern France: Renowned for its bluefin tuna, the best fishing period is from May to October.
Côte de Granit Rose, Brittany: Famous for its sea bass and Atlantic mackerel, the best times to fish are from April to September.
The Calanques, Marseille: Home to a variety of species like grouper and sea bream, the most rewarding fishing period is from June to October.
The Bay of Quiberon, Brittany: Known for its sea bass and pollock, the optimal fishing months are from April to November.
The Étang de Thau, Hérault: This is a top spot for oysters and mussels, best fished from September to April.
Gironde Estuary, Southwestern France: Abundant with European sea bass, the best fishing period is from April to November.
Cap Ferret, Atlantic Coast: Famous for its European sea bass, the optimal fishing season runs from May to October.
Mont Saint-Michel Bay, Normandy: Known for its flatfish and shellfish, it’s most productive from April to November.
Îles d’Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: Renowned for its amberjack and bluefin tuna, the best times to fish are from June to September.
Bay of La Baule, Western France: Home to a variety of species like mackerel and sea bass, the most rewarding fishing period is from April to October.
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Species Seasonal Breakdown
Sea Bass
If you’re looking to catch sea bass in France, the best months to do so are usually between April and November. Early morning or late evening tends to be the best time of day because sea bass are more active when it’s cooler. As for the best places in France to catch sea bass, try visiting the Bay of Biscay, the Gulf of Lion, the Bay of Arcachon, or the Côte d’Armor.
Bluefin Tuna
The best time to fish for bluefin tuna in France is during the summer months, from June to September. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times of day for tuna fishing as they are more active during these cooler hours. Some of the best locations in France for bluefin tuna fishing include the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Gulf of Lions, as they are known for their abundant tuna populations.
Atlantic Mackerel
Atlantic mackerel fishing in France is great during the warmer months from April to September. You can fish any time, but early morning and late evening are often the best times when the mackerel are more active. Some of the best places to catch Atlantic mackerel in France are the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, and the coastal areas of Brittany and Normandy.
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod are most commonly caught in France during the colder months, from November to February. They can be fished at any time of day, but dawn and dusk are often the best times. The best places in France to fish for Atlantic cod include the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, and off the coast of Normandy and Brittany.
Atlantic Salmon
The best months for fishing Atlantic salmon in France are typically from May to September. Early summer, specifically June and July, tend to be particularly productive. The ideal time of day for salmon fishing is usually early morning or late afternoon when the water temperature is cooler. Some of the best locations for Atlantic salmon fishing in France include the rivers Dordogne, Adour, and Aulne, as they are known for their healthy salmon populations.
Brown Trout
In France, the best months to fish for brown trout are from March to June. Try fishing in the early morning or late evening for the best luck. Good places to find them are in the rivers of the French Alps, Dordogne, Lot, and the Pyrenees mountains.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout in France are best caught from April to October, especially in early mornings or late evenings. Great places to fish for them are in the French Alps, Brittany, Normandy, and the Dordogne river.
Grayling
The best time to fish for grayling in France is from June to September, mainly in the mornings and evenings. The top places to go are the Doubs River, Dordogne River, Ain River, and Ardeche River.
Northern Pike
The best time to fish for pike in France is during the spring and fall months, particularly in April, May, September, and October. The ideal time of day for pike fishing is early morning or late afternoon when they are most active. Some of the top locations in France for northern pike fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Brittany, Alsace, and Auvergne.
Zander
The best time to fish for zander in France is during the cooler months of autumn and winter, specifically from October to February. Zander are more active during early morning or late evening hours, so those are the ideal times to go fishing. Some of the best locations in France for zander fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine.
Carp
The best time to fish for carp in France is during the warmer months of spring and summer, particularly from May to August. Carp are most active during early morning or late evening hours, so it’s best to go fishing during those times. Some of the best locations in France for carp fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Brittany, Aquitaine, and Rhône-Alpes.
Catfish
The best time to fish for catfish in France is during the warmer months of spring, summer, and early autumn, particularly from May to September. Catfish are most active during nighttime or early morning hours, so it’s best to go fishing during those times. Some of the top locations in France for catfish fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Burgundy, Aquitaine, and Rhône-Alpes.
European Perch
The best time to fish for European perch in France is during the spring and autumn months, particularly in April, May, September, and October. European perch are most active during early morning or late afternoon hours, so those are the ideal times to go fishing. Some of the best locations in France for European perch fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Brittany, Auvergne, and Alsace.
Tench
The best time to fish for tench in France is during the spring and summer months, particularly from May to August. Tench are most active during early morning or late evening hours, so those are the best times to go fishing. Some of the top locations in France for tench fishing include the rivers and lakes in the regions of Burgundy, Aquitaine, and Brittany.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Denmark, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Sweden, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Norway, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ireland, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in England, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the United Kingdom.
Best Fishing in France on a Seasonal Basis
Winter
- In the winter months of December, January, and February, some of the best locations in France for fishing are the Canal du Midi, where you can catch pike; Lake Geneva, known for its perch; the Garonne River, where catfish can be found; and the Loire River, where you can catch zander.
Spring
- In the spring months of March, April, and May, some of the best locations in France for fishing are the Loire River, where you can catch zander; Lake Bourget, known for its perch; the Charente River, where you can find catfish; and Lake Annecy, where pike can be caught.
Summer
- In the summer months of June, July, and August, some of the best locations in France for fishing are the Seine River, where you can catch carp; Lake Geneva, known for its perch; Lake Serre-Ponçon, where pike can be found; and the Garonne River, where catfish can be caught.
Fall
- In the fall season, from September to November, some of the best locations in France for fishing are the Rhône River, where you can catch catfish; Lake Annecy, where you can find perch; Lake Bourget, known for its pike; and the Dordogne River, where trout can be caught.
