Trout fishing opens in France: Dates, rules and permits explained

The 2025 trout fishing season opened on March 8 and will run until September 21. Here is everything you need to know to get involved.

Freshwater fishing is a regulated activity in France that requires a licence with strict rules in place over where, when and what anglers can fish. In addition only professionals can sell their catch.

The national governing body, la Fédération Nationale de la Pêche en France, has 1.5 million members split between 3,700 local associations. 

It delegates the responsibility for issuing and renewing cartes de peche (fishing licences) to its member associations in each department of France.

The dates on which fishing is authorised are determined by departmental prefectures on advice from the environmental agency, and vary depending on the water course and type of catch.

These rules only apply to public water courses: the rights to fish in private lakes are held by the owner.

Read more: A guide to fishing in France

What are the rules for freshwater fishing in France?

Rivers, lakes and stretches of water are divided into two fish categories:

• Category one water courses are mainly populated by trout, char, grayling and other salmonids

• Category two includes all other rivers, canals and lakes

Anglers must have a valid licence to fish in both categories, which they can get by applying to their departmental association here.

The annual fee for a fishing licence varies depending on the angler’s profile:

• Adults in 91 departments: €112

• Adults in Vienne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine): €87

• Women (limited to using one line): €41

• 13 to 18 year olds: €26

• Children under 12: €7

• Weekly pass: €36

• Day pass in Vienne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine): €13.70

Read more: Fishing to be further controlled by police in south-west France

Anglers must also pay the Redevance pour protection du milieu aquatique, (fee for the protection of the aquatic environment) which is collected by the departmental federation and costs €10 a year.

Fishing without a licence can result in a €450 fine.

Similarly, anglers in prohibited areas face a €750 fine. These areas include:

• Protected fishing reserves (determined by prefectural decree);

• Floodgates, sluices and waterways inside buildings;

• 50m downstream of dams and locks 

• Artificial passages designed to allow fish to move between watercourses

Anglers are also prohibited from fishing by hand, using fish eggs or drugs as bait, using any device designed to hook fish other than by the mouth, using diving equipment, and using explosives or electrocution methods.

Fishing dates in France

Within the authorised periods, anglers may cast their lines during the daytime, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Night fishing is prohibited.

In category one waters the season runs from March 8 to September 21, 2025.

However, during this period fishing is prohibited on Thursdays and Fridays in March and April, with the exception of public holidays.

• Trout from March 8 to September 21

• Grayling from May 17 to September 21

• Pike from April 26 to September 21

• Green and red-legged frogs from June 1 to September 21

In category two waters fishing is permitted all year round, although certain species may only be caught during the following periods:

• Pike from January 1 to January 26 and from April 26 to December 31

• Pike-perch from January 1 to March 8 and from May 17 to December 31

• Black bass from January 1 to April 30 and from July 1 to December 31

• Brown trout from March 8 to September 21

• Rainbow trout from March 8 to December 31

• Grayling from May 17 to December 31

• Green and red-legged frogs from June 1 to December 31.

• Crayfish may be fished in accordance with the general opening periods for category one and two waters.

These dates may be subject to change on the decision of the departmental prefecture.