Lac du Der Chantecoq

Lac du Der Chantecoq is in the Champagne region of France and is approximately 3.5-4 hours drive from calais and about 120 miles east of Paris.

Carp fishing is normally allowed from around the end of March to the end of September. Dates vary annually and must be confirmed before departure.

Permits
You will require the regional permit with the stamps for Carp and Night Fishing. Cost 2004: 48 euros.
You will also require the additional Lac du Der Chantecoq permit with the Autorisation Carpe stamp. Cost 2004: 70 euros.
In addition you will need to provide a passport sized photograph for the identity card.

These can be purchased from:
Maison Des Pecheurs
Station Nautique
51290 Giffaumont
Champaubert.
Tel: 0033-3-26-72-63-43
This is located on the south side of the venue.
The receptionist speaks reasonable English.

These will allow you: day fishing, the use of a boat (not provided), and the opportunity to book available night fishing swims.

Night swims are usually booked for 7 day periods and cost 200 euros per week, for a maximum of 2 anglers per swim (ie 2 anglers=100 euros each. 1 angler=200 euros.)
There are currently 30 bookable double Night swims around the venue.

Day fishing is permitted from all natural banks and from boats. No fishing is permitted from man made banks. All areas are outlined in the literature you receive with the permits, and are available in english.
There are some sizeable areas that are out of bounds to angling.
Again these are highlighted.

Technically Lac du Der consists of 3 individual lakes totaling 14000 acres.
The North Basin. Generally quite difficult but with a high average size.
The South Basin. Probably the most productive with a fair population of smaller fish, but plenty of whackers all the same.
The Main Lake. Massive and the stock average is somewhere in between the other two.
All of the lakes contain Carp in excess of 60lbs.

Early season(spring), when the water levels are high they usually converge into one vast Lake!

There are plenty of Camp Sites located adjacent to the venue, which are reasonably priced, and are very useful for anyone wishing to fish days only. Probably a good idea for anyone considering their first trip.