Best Carp Lakes in France: Top French Fishing Lakes

Fishing in France is a fantastic way to experience big fish angling and the whole country is literally stuffed with massive carp just waiting to be caught! Many of the fisheries in France are owned and run by UK anglers or families so you can be assured of some home comforts too!

Our resident angling expert and regular visitor to France, Andy Grenfell takes a look at some of the best carp fishing lakes in France to suit all abilities and requirements. The issue with compiling a list like this is that there are so many fantastic fisheries in France, I really don't know where to begin! I have decided to start with the lake I visited in April this year and it was quite a good trip for me personally with fish over 60lb landed. I have kept the list short but included some good details into each of the venues, if this doesn't make you want to book a French carp fishing holiday then nothing will!

Etang De Mimi

http://www.gigantica-carp.com/

Surely no introduction should be needed for this water at present. Gigantica sits at the pinnacle of French carping, not solely for those looking for a holiday, but those who are serious about catching massive carp. With a slogan of 'Carp only bigger!' once you look at the stock, you soon understand why!

There are two lakes on site, with the road lake, with a large head of younger, hungry fish, making this the easier of the two waters. However do not let this put you off, as they are growing rapidly, and multiple 40 and 50lb fish on a trip is not uncommon, with a couple of fish now going over 60lb and it won't be long before one breaks the 70lb barrier.

The main lake is the one, most people wish to make the journey across the channel inspired by the various Korda videos of Danny, Pecky, Spooner and Co all hauling out monsterious-sized carp, that are more like baby whales than carp! With 6 different carp over 70lb, 2 fish over 80, and a colossal common over 96lb known as the Immaculate (potentially a record common carp in the waiting), all backed up by a huge head of 50 and 60lb fish, varying from big leathery beats to heavily plated stunning mirrors, Gigantica has the ability to make any anglers dreams come true.

The crystal blue waters are free from almost all nuisance species with no poisson chat at all present, and only the very rare tench or bream caught, you can be certain when the alarm sounds, a carp will be on the end.

Food packages are available, with breakfast brought to your swim every morning, so you only need wind in for the evening meal. Toilets, showers, tackle shop, and bait freezers will all keep you well stocked and feeling refreshed, so you can focus on the matter at hand, catching huge carp!

An incredible venue, and one easy to see why so many book to go!

2. Etang De Mimi

http://www.etangdemimi.com

Etang de Mimi is a natural clay-based spring-fed lake of around 5 1/2 acres. Set in the peaceful French countryside, approximately 3.5hours from Calais, the lake is ideally suited to week-long bookings from Saturday to Saturday although some long weekends of 3 or 4 nights can usually be booked subject to availability.

There are 8 spacious swims which have been prepared with anglers' needs and comforts in mind, ideally suited for up to 5 anglers max. The Lake holds a head of around 200 fish, mostly Mirror Carp up to and well over 50lbs with Commons up to 49lbs and a handful of grass carp to nearly 40lb. The resident catfish 'Jacko' usually comes out once a year and was last caught at 135lbs. There are around twenty different 40lb carp in the lake with nearly one hundred 30lb plus carp as well, a staggering stock for a great weeks fishing.

The brand new anglers lodge consists of a kitchen area with an electric hob, microwave cooker, fridges, freezer, table & chairs, and plenty of hot water! UK sockets for charging mobile phones, bait boats, cameras, phones etc. Clean Bathroom with Shower, Basin & W.C. and a dartboard for entertainment. There is also a lovely outdoor seating area on a terrace overlooking the lake a covered seating and BBQ area for social gatherings with a log burner for the colder days and a gas BBQ as well. All in all,

Etang De Mimi is a fantastic venue for a group of anglers who enjoy social fishing for huge French carp! A truly fantastic venue for all anglers looking for a new place when carp fishing in France.

Etang De Mimi offers a great feel of exclusivity with the lake like no other set is the beautiful champagne region of France. If you and a group of anglers and looking for an exclusive lake booking with all of your needs catered for and on the hunt for HUGE carp, Etang De Mimi is the one for you!  

   

 

 

3. Domain De La Ribiere

One of the most famous commercial lakes in France is now in the excellent hands of new owners who have created a fishery with superb accommodation for the whole family, there is even an amazing swimming pool to dip into! Ribiere has been described, as a “jewel in France carp fishing” by Steve Briggs and it’s easy to see why. The lake is simply stunning. Tree-lined, tranquil and an ideal place to relax and enjoy your fishing. Fishing is from one side only and you have plenty of water allocated for each swim. You will not get disturbed by other anglers. We have just 10 pegs in 22 acres and there are markers on the far bank designating your water.



There are approx 450-500 carp up to a whopping 84lb! With well over a hundred fish over 45lbs in weight, the chances of landing your PB are very high. The reception block contains stunning shower facilities, changing rooms and toilets as well as charging points for boats and phones. There are also fridges for food and bait as well as the large walk-in bait fridge for your bait needs. There is free wifi in all our accommodation and this has been extended back in 2017 to include the lake. In addition, there is a children's play area, heated outdoor swimming pool and sauna. There is a wide range of accommodations with traditional French styling and a wide range of choices - from two-person gites to family accommodation and our wooden chalet.

Our lake exclusives are all housed in our purpose-built apartment with seven twin/double bedrooms and a large, shared kitchen and patio. All accommodation is equipped to a high standard with showers, toilets, kitchen facilities and an outside patio area. All are served by free Wi-Fi access. Anglers staying in July and August (high season) must book accommodation. Fishing in France doesn't get much better than this!

 

 

4. Cretelakes

Surely no introduction is needed, esp to those who are frequent viewers of Monster Carp on ITV! Cretelakes is a beautiful 5 lake venue set in 130 acres. The lakes are former gravel pits dug around the mid-1970s and around this time they were stocked with carp and other course fish. The venue was left undisturbed to flourish and mature with its tree-lined banks and stocks of fish for three decades, we secured the lakes and set about creating a carp fishing holiday complex that would be one of the best in France. After six months of tree removal and other obstacles, 60 swims were created including 9 doubles across the 5 lakes.



As the years passed the lakes were stocked with fast-growing French carp including many fish over 40lb+ and at present Cretelakes can boast some of the heaviest stocked lakes in France with literally hundreds of carp over 40lb and 50lb, many 60s and the biggest residents over 70lb that are still growing year on year. Lake 5 alone holds over six hundred 30lb+ Carp so with a stocking level of this calibre Cretelakes is a firm favourite amongst anglers. The onsite facilities at Cretelakes are excellent with a fully equipped kitchen, a large seating area with sky TV, a shop stocking those essential items including a large stock of bait, and a shower block housing 3 showers and 3 toilets. The showers are open 24 hours a day and can be used at your own convenience. There is also a toilet block located between lakes 3 and 4, there is a disabled toilet in the main clubhouse.

There are up to five bailiffs at Cretelakes and they will be on hand to cook the all-important meals and look after your daily needs. They will help you find the best areas within your chosen pegs and be available to give advice on tactics and rigs etc. Cretelakes is an easy 3hr drive from France and best of all you can choose between an all-inclusive package where transport to the lake is included or a self-drive option for those who prefer to drive. Cretelakes goes from strength to strength and fully deserves its spot on our list of the best carp fishing lakes.

 

 

5. Abbey Lakes

https://www.abbeylakes.co.uk/

Many of you will have seen Abbey Lakes in various angling videos and the complex of lakes in Northern France is a great end to our list of the best carp lakes in France. Situated just 2 hours from the port of Calais, there are no long drives involved when visiting Abbey Lakes! There are six lakes to choose from all with their own attraction! For the big fish hunters, you need to head for Heron, Fox or Kingfisher where carp approaching 80lb, yes 80lb, wait for you!



Attlila Lake at 18 acres and with only 7 anglers allowed is a great choice for a group booking, the average size is approaching 40lb and many monsters await. Big hits of fish are commonplace here. Next up we have Wild Boar lake which in the past has been the runs water on the complex, now those fish are growing so although bites are still easy to come by even in the harshest of weather, the fish are way bigger averaging 20lb plus with fish up to and over 55lb to go for. Lastly, we have Frog Lake at just 4 acres and with only 4 anglers allowed, it is an out and out runs water with most fish averaging 25lb but going up to nearly 50lb, there is also a 60lb grass carp and lots of stunning fully scaled fish, perfect for a group booking!


Some of the facilities at Abbey Lakes include; On-site restaurant with food packages available for anglers, a clubhouse with a licensed bar and friendly atmosphere, with an on-site tackle shop, vehicle access to all swims, ladies and gents shower blocks, frozen bait storage, phone and bait boat charging points and a 24hr on-site bailiff. Abbey Lakes really does have something for everyone and the best bit is that you can book fishing in blocks of 24hrs so no need to book for a whole week, in fact I am off to Abbey Lakes for a few long weekends next year!

Before you head off on your trip to France, be sure to check out our range of carp fishing tackle, as well as our selection of rods, reels and bait to suit all budgets.