Fishing and Angling in Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes

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Fishing and Angling in Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes

The region has over 5,000 Km of rivers, streams and lakes which provide for fishing. Species found in the waters of the Rhône Valley include trout, pike, pike-perch, salmonids and carp. The sport is, however, strictly policed for ecological reasons, and all restrictions must be adhered to.

River & Lake Fishing

Any person wanting to fish in France must first get a fishing permit (carte de pêche) from the local AAPPMA (Associations Agrées de Pêche et de Protection du Milieu Aquatique) affiliated fishing association. The website of the Fédération Nationale de la Pêche links to local fishing association details. Find out where to fish in the area, the local legislation, fishing season dates for each year (these change depending on fish stocks) and where to get a fishing permit. 

• To find a local fishing association in France: Click here (in French) and select the relevant département

Fishing categories

Fishing areas fall into two categories, each of which has different permit requirements and seasons:  

1. Category 1 (première catégorie): waters mainly inhabited by trout, and those with fish of the salmonidea group (salmon, trout, freshwater whitefish) requiring protection;
2. Category 2 (seconde catégorie): all other rivers, canals and lakes.

Note: It is illegal to fish without a fishing permit (carte de pêche); the local Mairies provides dates for the season.

Fishing permits

There are a variety of fishing permits available and it's obligatory for any person line-fishing in France to carry a valid carte de pêche on all fishing excursions. Permits are issued to an individual and include an ID photograph. If a permit is lost or destroyed a new one must be purchased. 

The carte de pêche available are:

• Carte Personne Majeure: Annual card for adults, category 1 and 2 waters, all types of fishing
• Carte Personne Mineure: Annual card for 12 to 18 year olds, category 1 and 2 waters, all types of fishing
• Carte Découverte: Annual card valid from 1 January to 31 December for under 12s, category 1 and 2 waters, all types of fishing
• Carte Journalière, Day-pass valid for all fishing, available throughout the year
• Carte Vacances: Valid for all fishing for the holiday period, 1 June to 31 December 
• Carte Découverte Femme: Valid for all fishing, 1 line only
• Personne Majeure Interdépartementale: Available in some départements

Fishing seasons

Open seasons vary for the two fishing categories from year to year. They also differ from region to region. The seasons are normally announced at the start of a year and may begin any time from early spring and end in autumn.

Details of the season are published in local newspapers and are available from the town hall.

The Fédération Nationale de la Pêche also publishes the dates on its website as soon as they become available.

• For this year's fishing season dates: Click here (in French) 

Local Rhône-Alpes Fishing Associations

The French Fishing Federation (Fédération pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique) has offices in the Rhône, Ardèche, Drôme and Loire departments, providing information about local fishing, as well as maps, clubs and rules:

• Fédération Départemental de la Pêche du Rhône
  At: Le Norly, 42 chemin du Moulin Carron, 69130 Ecully
  Tel: 04 72 18 01 80
  Fax: 04 78 33 11 64
  Website (in French)
  For a map of fishing areas in the Rhône department: Click here
• Fédération Départemental de la Pêche de l'Ardèche
  At: La Favorite, 16 Avenue Paul Ribeyre, 07600 Vals-les-Bains
  Website (in French)
• Fédération Départemental de la Pêche - North Rhône
  At: 1 Avenue des Cévennes, 07370 Sarras
• Fédération Départemental de la Pêche de la Drôme
  At: 50 Chemin de Laprat, 26000 Valence
  Tel: 04 75 78 14 40
  Fax: 04 75 44 46 08
  e-mail
  Website (in French)
• Fédération Départemental de la Pêche de la Loire
  At: 14 Allée de l'Europe ZI du Bas Rollet, 42480 La Fouillouse 
  Tel: 04 77 02 20 00
  Fax: 04 77 02 20 09
  e-mail
  Website (in French)

Le Club Rhône-Alpes Pêche: Fishing association organising fishing trips. The website has information on fishing areas and types of fish in the Rhône Valley.

• Le Club Rhône-Alpes Pêche
  At: L'Orée d'Ecully, Bâtiment C, Chemin de la Forestière, 69130 Ecully
  Tel: 04 72 18 96 83
  Fax: 04 78 33 49 97
  e-mail
  Website (in French)

Union Lyonnaise des pêcheurs à la Ligne: Fishing association for line fishermen in the Lyon area. The website has information on local clubs, fishing areas, fishing events and fishing competitions.

• Union Lyonnaise des pêcheurs à la Ligne
  At: 70 Rue Pierre Corneille, 69003 Lyon 
  Website (in French)

Pêche-en-Ardèche is a website (in French) for individuals, groups, companies and associations interested in fishing in the Ardèche region. Information is available on the different species of fish that can be found in the 5,000 Km of rivers, streams and lakes in the department, on popular areas for fishing and accommodation options for those going on a fishing holiday in Ardèche.

Further Information

• Information on fishing from Rhône-Alpes Tourism (PDF in French)
• For information on fishing in the Drôme department: Click here
• For more information about fishing in Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes, see The AngloFILE Lyon Fishing and Angling

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