De moerassen van Marennes-Oléron

Freshwater fishing in the Marennes basin

Get away from it all and fish for pike-perch, pike, black-bass, crayfish or eel in our unspoilt natural spaces, or tease roach in the peace and quiet of a green setting... Just a stone's throw from the coast, for a weekend, a day, a morning or a sunny afternoon, take advantage of a fishing break in our coastal marshes to enjoy authentic experiences for a zen, bucolic or passionate vacation. Alone, with family or friends.

Fishingroutes

The Charente-Seudre Canal
With its 27 km, it is the longest canal in Charente-Maritime. Classed in the 2nd category of the Public Fluvial Domain, it links the left bank of the Charente at Saint-Hippolyte to the right bank of the Seudre at Marennes, at a place called "Le Petit Port des Seynes". It irrigates the Marennes-Oléron region over a distance of just over 10 km. Situated in the heart of nature, in the bucolic setting of the Marais de Brouage, this large canal is a popular fishing spot. You can fish for pike-perch, eel, pike, perch, black-bass, carp, roach, bream, tench, carassin and Louisiana crayfish. In Marennes-Hiers-Brouage, a number of sites offer easy access to the banks of the canal: Le Lindron, Pont de La Chasse, La Buse Noire, Pont de Mérignac, La Torse and Bellevue.

The Canal de Broue
10 km long, it irrigates the communes of Saint-Sornin, Saint-Just-Luzac and Marennes-Hiers-Brouage in the Marennes-Oléron region. It joins the Canal de Brouage via a diversion at the Beaugeay locks in the Rochefort region. Situated in the middle of the marshes, this small, fish-filled canal is seldom used. The same species of fish are caught here as on the Charente-Seudre Canal. You can access the banks at Bellevue (Marennes-Hiers-Brouage), Pont de la Bergère (Saint-Just-Luzac) or Pont des Brandes (Saint-Sornin).

Canal de Mérignac
This freshwater canal can be fished over a distance of around 3.5 km from Saint-Just-Luzac to the Saline lock (salt water limit) in Marennes-Hiers-Brouage. Situated in the middle of the marshes, this small, fish-filled canal is home to the same species of fish as the previous two canals. Access to its banks is available from "La Garenne" in Saint-Just-Luzac, the Pont Tournant de Mérignac (Marennes-Hiers-Brouage) or the Pont Nantais (Marennes-Hiers-Brouage).

Regulations

General

- Fishing permitted from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
- 4 lines maximum/angler.

Fishing for carnivorous fish

- Pike fishing authorized from the last Saturday in April to the last Sunday in January.
- Legal catch sizes: pike 60 cm, zander 50 cm and black-bass 30 cm.
- Quotas: 3 fish/day/fisherman, including 2 pike maximum (excluding catfish and perch).
- Pike fishing using live and dead fish and artificial lures is prohibited during the closed season.

Eel angling

Authorized from May 1 to September 30. Eel catch booklet required.

Carp fishing

- On the part of the Charente-Seudre Canal that flows into the Marennes basin, night fishing for carp is authorized from the Bellevue lock to the Mérignac swing bridge on the right bank, then from "La Buse Noire" to the Pont de La Chasse on the right bank.
- Live transport of fish larger than 60 cm is forbidden.
- Keeping in captivity of fish caught at night is forbidden.
- Carp fishing at night may only be carried out from the shore, and only with plant fodder.

Louisiana crayfish fishing

6 crayfish scales/fisherman maximum. Crayfish of any size may not be released, transported alive or used as bait.

All fishing is forbidden in the fishing reserves indicated below and signposted in the field:

- Canal Charente-Seudre to Bellevue lock: fishing prohibited in the lock (63 m of lock).
- Canal Charente-Seudre to Petit Port des Seynes: fishing prohibited in the Marennes lock (26 m of lock) and over a distance of 50 m upstream from it. Marennes diversion: fishing prohibited from the confluence with the canal to the discharge gates (145 m). - Canal de Mérignac: fishing prohibited at the Saline lock and for a distance of 50 m upstream from it.

canal charente-seudre -Fédération pour la pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique de Charente-Maritime.jpg
canal de broue - Fédération pour la pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique de Charente-Maritime.jpg
canal de broue - Fédération pour la pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique de Charente-Maritime (2).jpg

Fishing cards and sales outlets

To enjoy freshwater fishing, you need an individual fishing licence.

Which fishing card should I choose (2024 prices)?

Fishing cards are annual and valid for one calendar year.

  • Carte Interfédérale Personne Majeure: all types of fishing authorized. Valid in 91 French departments - €110
  • Carte Personne Majeure: all authorized fishing methods. Valid only in Charente-Maritime - 85 €.
  • Carte Personne Mineure (12 to 18 years): all authorized fishing methods. Valid in 91 French departments - €21
  • Carte Découverte Femme (over 18): single-line fishing. Valid in 91 French departments - €40
  • Carte Découverte Enfants (under 12) : single-line fishing. Valid in 91 French departments - 7 €.
  • Carte Hebdomadaire: valid for 7 consecutive days. All fishing methods authorized. Valid in 91 French departments - 35 €.
  • Carte Journalière: valid for 1 day. All authorized fishing methods - €20 from January 1 to June 30 and €12 from July 1 to December 31.

You can buy your fishing card :

  • Online at www.cartedepeche.fr
  • At the Office de Tourisme de l'île d'Oléron et du Bassin de Marennes, Bureau d'accueil de Marennes, Place Chasseloup-Laubat, 17320 Marennes - 05 46 85 04 36.

Contact:

  • Association Agréée pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique (AAPPMA) "La Gaule Marennaise". President: Monsieur GODRIE Jean-Pierre - 07 81 92 37 49 - gaulemarennaise@peche17.org
  • Further information: Fédération pour la pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique de Charente-Maritime - 05 46 98 98 79 - federation17@peche17.org - www.peche17.org