France’s rivers and lakes are managed by a vast network of fishing federations and associations to protect fish stocks and aquatic environments. These federations and associations also share a common objective, which is to promote the sport of fishing.
In the Pyrenees, and more specifically in the Occitanie region, the departmental fishing federations of the Pyrénées-Orientales (66), Aude (11) and Ariège (09) are working hard to achieve this. In the heart of these three departements, you’ll find a multitude of high-quality rivers and lakes, all managed with respect for the environment!
Fishing routes
Fishing guides
To help you discover the competition venues and during your training, the WFFC France 2024 Commission has set up a partnership with Fly Fishing Guides. By signing the Charter of Fly Fishing Guides, Partner of the WFFC France 2024, we guarantee the quality of the services offered to you, particularly a good level of knowledge of the training possibilities in the Occitanie region and the of fly fishing technics.
Please, Note that only AUTHORIZED and PROFESSIONNAL Fishing Guides are allowed to be hired and paid for Fishing Guide Services in France. Others are out of the French Law.
The list and contact details of Fly Fishing Guides, partners of the WFFC France 2024 is available below.
The Fédération des Moniteurs Guides de Pêche has approved the WFFC France 2024 Fly Fishing Instructors’ Charter.
Fishing Licence
In France and during the WFFC FRANCE 2024, you must be the holder of an “adult + CHI stamp” fishing licence to be able to fish for pleasure at all the competition venues and in the 3 departements where the WFFC FRANCE 2024 will take place. This fishing licence is individual and mandatory.
This fishing licence is valid from 1 January to 31 December 2024 and allows you to fish in the départements where the WFFC FRANCE 2024 will be held! This fishing licence costs 110 euros per person.
To make it easier for you to obtain your fishing licence, we have set up a one-stop shop for this WFFC France 2024 event with the Fishing Federations of Departements of 66, 11 and 09. To obtain your card, please fill in the following form and pay by bank transfer (RIB on the registration form). Your fishing licence will be sent to you by e-mail within a few days.
Our lakes and rivers
A wide range of rivers and lakes are available to us for the WFFC FRANCE 2024. Here is a list of the various sites that are still being studied and that are likely to host this event.
As far as rivers are concerned, we are looking at all the possibilities on the Ariège (09), the Arac (09), the Vicdessos (09), the Hers (09), the Aude (11) and the Têt (66). As far as lakes are concerned, the Matemale, Puyvalador and Bouillouses reservoirs (by drift boat), as well as the Carlit and Camporeils sites (from the shore) in the Pyrénées-Orientales department (66), will be available for selection.
The 5 official sectors of the WFFC FRANCE 2024 will be decided and communicated during the first quarter of 2024 according to the conditions of the moment following the delicate period of drought that our country is currently going through.
- All
- stream
- lake
- reservoir
- river
The Ariège (upstream sector)
The Ariège is the department's main river. Its course is capricious, partly because of its large catchment area and partly because of unexpected releases (EDF) depending on the weather. On the upstream section, the width of the bed varies from 5 to 20 metres and its depth depends on the profile of the land. All types of station are present. Brown trout are the dominant species, but it is not unusual to find a few common grayling.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
The Ariège (downstream sector)
On the downstream section, the width of the bed varies from 20 to 40 metres and its depth depends on the profile of the land. All types of station are present. Brown trout, often over 40 cm in size, predominate, although a few common grayling are not uncommon.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
The Arac
The Arac is a small, typically Pyrenean river, around 5 to 10 metres wide. There are no major EDF installations that could cause the water level to rise unexpectedly or irregularly. The water level will therefore depend on the weather over the previous few days. The bed of the Arac is varied, with both shallow beaches ideal for dry fishing and strong currents interspersed with sharp bumps, rocks and pebbles. The river is stocked with beautiful Mediterranean brown trout.
The Hers
The Hers is a karstic river between 5 and 20 metres wide. The fairly cold water comes from several resurgences, including the Fontestorbe resurgence (over 1 m3/s), which is notorious for its intermittent flow. The water is very clear. The fish populations, made up of fario trout, sculpins and rare minnows, are very rich, with a large number of brown trout.
The Vicdessos
The Vicdessos is a river 10 to 20 metres wide. The water comes from the nearby peaks and is often very cool. Its pebbled bottom and rich aquatic fauna make it a favourite spot for fly fishers. The river offers a wide range of positions, from smooth stretches with sandy bottoms to holes cluttered with large boulders or currents lined with pebbles and large stones. Brown trout of Mediterranean stock predominate.
The Aude (upstream sector)
The Aude is a river that gives its name to the department it flows through. In its upper reaches, the river is between 5 and 10 metres wide. It has the profile of a mountain stream, with a steep gradient and cool, oxygenated waters that are ideal for fario trout.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
The Aude (downstream sector)
On the downstream section, the river widens out and becomes a lowland watercourse with a much gentler gradient. The profile is completely different from the upper part and more suited to the development of common grayling.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
The Têt
The Têt is a coastal river in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, rising near the Pic Carlit. Its upstream section is dammed by the Bouillouses dam (hydroelectricity) and the Vinça dam further down (reservoir for irrigation). Up to the latter, the river is considered to be a mountain stream where brown trout thrive.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
The Bouillouses reservoir
Situated at an altitude of 2,016 metres, at the foot of the Péric and Carlit peaks, the Bouillouses reservoir is one of the few water reservoirs in the département. With its 148 hectares, it was one of the first places in Europe where the rainbow trout settled. The trout have been breeding there naturally for over 60 years. The combativeness of this trout and its complementarity with the fario trout are much appreciated by anglers and have made the lake famous. Easy to access, it offers an exceptional setting, opening a gateway to the chain of Carlit, Péric, Calme and Grave lakes.
The Matemale reservoir
On the verdant heights of the Capcir plateau, you'll find the two reservoirs: Matemale and Puyvalador, managed by EDF. They are respectable in size, with 230 ha for Matemale and 114 ha for Puyvalador at full capacity. These easily accessible dams are fed by the waters of the Aude, which rises at Roc d'Aude. Subject to a mountain climate, these high-quality environments offer trout ideal conditions for growth, and large fish are not uncommon. There is also a small population of wild rainbow trout from the Bouillouses stock. The good living conditions allow for efficient natural reproduction, which takes place every autumn for the brown trout on the spawning grounds of tributaries such as the Aude and the Galbe.
The Puyvalador reservoir
On the verdant heights of the Capcir plateau, you'll find the two reservoirs: Matemale and Puyvalador, managed by EDF. They are respectable in size, with 230 ha for Matemale and 114 ha for Puyvalador at full capacity. These easily accessible dams are fed by the waters of the Aude, which rises at Roc d'Aude. Subject to a mountain climate, these high-quality environments offer trout ideal conditions for growth, and large fish are not uncommon. There is also a small population of wild rainbow trout from the Bouillouses stock. The good living conditions allow for efficient natural reproduction, which takes place every autumn for the brown trout on the spawning grounds of tributaries such as the Aude and the Galbe.
The Carlit lakes
The Haute Cerdagne region has everything to attract sports fishing enthusiasts. The foothills of the imposing Carlit peak are home to a string of 12 high-altitude lakes overlooking the Lac des Bouillouses. They are relatively easy and quick to access from the Bouillouses dam (allow 1h30 to reach the highest lake). Within this group of lakes, you'll find brown trout and rainbow trout of the "Bouillouses" strain. The latter reproduce naturally in spring and early summer. Signs indicate the name of each lake and access is signposted.