A quick overview is necessary to guide you before going to put your flies during your summer vacations in this beautiful region, a wide range of species is available to you.
Sea fishing, a vast playground
Brittany has the longest coastline in France, with more than 2700 km of coastline.
The accesses are numerous and you are spoiled for choice. Rocky points, beaches, cliffs, creeks, are as many possibilities to go dip your flies and try to catch your first marine fish.
In addition to the coast, it is also possible to fish in the sea by being guided by boat, or by renting a boat yourself (coastal license required), or a kayak to explore the different spots from another angle.
Fishing with streamers and surface flies will be just the thing and will hold some nice surprises for you.
Another great opportunity is fishing in estuary with very good spots especially for sea bass. There is a multitude of them in Brittany with very big bass that come to eat crabs and shrimps in the edges. Ideal kingdom for sight fishing.
The species that we are looking for in Brittany are mainly sea bass and mullet, but it is also possible to catch pollock (often with a diving line), horse mackerel (in the harbours under the street lights at night), or mackerel.
All of them take the fly well, even if for each species a rather specific equipment (rods and flies) will be necessary.
Many possibilities for freshwater fishing ?
Brittany is a salmon farming region par excellence. It has an important hydrographic network mainly of rivers classified as first category for fish. Most of the rivers are in fact rivers that shelter in addition to wild brown trout, migratory fish (mainly Atlantic salmon, but also sea trout) and depending on the season also shad (May-June).
Known for their small size, the rivers of Brittany are nevertheless very full of fish. However, they are quite technical because of their size and the amount of space they take up, which is not easy for the beginner fisherman, even if some corners are more suitable.
On some rivers, salmon fishing is possible by having previously acquired the migratory assortment. The season for summer salmon fishing runs from 1 er july to October (different dates depending on the river).
You will certainly find a nice trout river near your accommodation by asking around.
But also in ponds and reservoirs
On the water, there are other possibilities.
Pike fishing in ponds and lakes, pike perch and perch fishing. It is difficult to list all the possibilities, but you can ask the local federation for information, and you will be able to find a spot next to your accommodation.
Trout tank :
There are only two reservoirs (with regular stocking) in Brittany.
- The first and the oldest, the one called Etang Neuf in the commune of St Connan (22). A beautiful lake located on the upper Trieux, with an area of 9 hectares where it is possible to fish from the shore, in a boat (for rent) and in a float tube (using your own).
- The second reservoir is the Parc Ar Bihan in the Morbihan near Colpo. Created a few years ago, it allows fishing all year round. A surface of 1,7 hectare and a shallow depth allows to practice many techniques.
For these two reservoirs, you will have to pay a daily fishing fee.
Brittany also has some great lakes to look for trout, notably the lake of Drennec (29) in the commune of Commana. With an area of 210 hectares on the sources of the river Elorn, it is a beautiful lake to look for the fario trout (wild) and rainbow trout (introduced). Specific fishing permit required.
In the center of Finistère, the lake of St Michel, classified as a Great Inland Lake (450 hectares), allows you to look for rainbow trout (regular stocking) and pikes in a setting close to Ireland, between moors and peat bogs. Specific fishing permit required.
For any information on fishing spots, regulations, permits, etc.. contact the Fédérations de Pêche et de Protection du Milieu Aquatique de Bretagne.
