River Loire

Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France · Freshwater · Intermediate

France's longest river, wide, shallow and braided with sandbanks below the châteaux. It has become Europe's best-known wels catfish water, with very large fish taken from the deeper bends.

Getting there & access

  • Fish from: land-based or boat

Under the French Code de l'environnement, fishing in fresh water requires membership of an approved local association (AAPPMA), which is what a carte de pêche represents — there is no separate government licence. Cards are sold online at cartedepeche.fr and cover the year, a week or a single day, so short visits are straightforward. An interfederal card widens access beyond the home department, which matters on a river as long as the Loire.

Access information source

Species

  • wels catfish
  • zander
  • northern pike

Best times to fish

  • Summer nights for catfish
  • Autumn zander
  • Spring pike after the closed season

Recommended gear

Essential

  • Heavy catfish or pike rod
  • Large softbaits and deadbaits
  • Braided line and heavy leader
  • Unhooking mat

Optional

  • Boat or float tube
  • Bite alarms
  • Waders for the sandbanks

Regulations and requirements

  • A carte de pêche from the local AAPPMA is required for anyone aged 12 and over
  • An interfédérale card covers public water across all mainland départements
  • Pike and zander have closed seasons — check the département rules

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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