True action waters with an awesome number of carp Roseau is an established venue in Northern France, about 2½ hours drive from Calais. These mature lakes can definitely be described as action waters – they contain an awesome number of carp and there are also a fair number of larger cats to 100lb+. There are two lakes with good facilities including toilets, showers and a popular bar and restaurant.
A large water of around 25 acres, this former gravel pit has depths varying from 6 to 1.5 metres.There are swims on both sides and all the pegs are wide and spacious – some can comfortably accommodate 3 or 4 anglers. All pegs are pre-booked… you will be asked to make a choice when you book your holiday. If the ground conditions are good you can drive to most of the pegs and then return your car to the car park. If it’s wet you can drive to the lake edge & then wheel barrows are available to help transport your tackle to your swim.
A true specimen venue with a common of 66lb Margot has definitely become established as one of the premiere big fish waters in France – its combination of rural tranquillity and truly awesome stock of very large carp make it a very popular destination for specimen anglers. Situated in a rural and agricultural landscape, Margot is around 12 acres in size and within 2.5 hours drive from the port of Caen. 12 acres in size, with 8 pegs for a maximum of 8 anglers, Margot is home to 280 carp up to 66lb. At least 75 fish are over the 30lb barrier and around 20 over 40lb. The current record is an awesome common carp that weighs in at 66lb. The Koi carp go to 36lb and the grass carp to 45lb+. The current sturgeon record is 67lb.
Cedar Lake is a 4 acre gravel pit with varying depths from 1m on the western end of the lake to over 3m at the eastern end of the lake. There are steep banks to most of the lake and gentle sloping banks to the private side leading to the front lawn of the private bungalow of the owners, Tommy and George Young. The lake is set in the valley of the River Seine, an area that is surrounded by other gravel pits, including the Island Lake, which is also owned and run, by Tommy and George. Mick Hall who has been on the French carp scene since the early pioneering days of Cassien, is a resident bailiff on the Island Lake but is also available for advice and help on Cedar Lake.
A superb refurbished mill house and a 2.5 acre lake with carp to 40lb+. Les Vaux is a stone built mill house that dates back to the 16th Century and is set in the lush green countryside on the borders between Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire. It is approximately 2 hours from the ferry port of Caen and 1½ hours from St. Malo. The very pretty private lake that lies next to the house dates back over 300 years and has never previously been used as a commercial fishery. The venue is owned by an English couple Chas and Josie Cook, who have restored the lakeside house to a very high standard and stocked the lake with fish.
Watersmeet is a beautiful mature venue consisting of two lakes – one specialist carp lake and one smaller coarse lake. It is superb for a family, or a small group of up to 4 anglers, who are seeking quality fishing in tranquil surroundings with the added bonus of excellent lakeside accommodation in the form of a lovely renovated cottage which sleeps up to 6. Watersmeet is situated in NW France, in the Mayenne region, amongst lovely countryside near the village of Larchamp. Approximate driving time from the port of Caen is 1½ hours.
Maurepaire was a lake that often appeared in the UK carp magazines a few years ago. It was run by Dave Payne and many of the UK’s top carpers fished there and had stunning catches. After Dave left, the owner Patrick Bachelier, one of France’s most respected fish farmers, closed for a year before re-stocking. He re-opened it in 2006 and and has re-stocked with 500+carp ranging from 15lb to 55lb, including two 50’s, sixteen mid-40’s, around 320 fish from 25lb to 40lb, and approximately 100 fish up to 25lb. Excellent stock levels that are reflected in the catches.
Lac du Val is around 4½ acres & set in northern Normandy, less than an hour’s drive from the ferry port of Caen. The privacy of the site allows peaceful and tranquil carp fishing in lush rural surroundings for a maximum of five anglers – it is possible to book the lake exclusively. The venue is owned by an English couple, David and Sammy Harding. They live on-site in their converted farm house and they have taken great care in landscaping and stocking the water with a superb stock of magnificent looking carp.
An outstanding venue for the family angler and tucked away in the country lanes of the beautiful Mayenne countryside, Oakview is 2½ hours from the Caen ferry. The lake has been worked on with anglers in mind and a combination of a central island and swims on the curving banks means that up to 4 anglers can all enjoy fishing both the margins and the island. Its luxury lakeside lodge is of a high standard meaning that it will be appealing to non-anglers too – this is an ideal venue for a family holiday.
A stunning, mature lake over 350 years old situated in the heart of South Normandy,France. Just 1¼ hours from St. Malo and under 3 hours from Cherbourg. The lake is 5 acres in size. This beautiful lake is is bordered by mature oak and traditional French poplars – an appearance that reminds one of an old English estate lake. It has many features including two islands, overhanging trees, reeds, bays, several sets of pads and a large channel between the islands and the hidden plateaus.