Lake Villerest
The Villerest dam is located in the Loire department. The dam was built between 1978 and 1984. Its impoundment created Lac de Villerest. Primarily designed to regulate the flow of the river, the dam is associated with a 60 MW hydroelectric power station. Power generation is not the dam's main purpose: its first and foremost use is flood control and low-water support for the Loire downstream, in conjunction with the Naussac dam. The reservoir covers 770 hectares and is 32 km long, with Balbiny at the upstream end and Villerest at the downstream end.
Many species for different techniques
As a result, the lake's water level varies according to the regulation EDF gives it. This has a considerable impact on fish behavior. Despite this, the quantity of fish present is astronomical. All year round, in all seasons and in all weathers, the Loire is majestic.
Whether you're fishing with a long pole, a feeder, a spinning rod, a telescopic rod or a battery, not forgetting the many carnivorous species.
Find the fish
But fishing in a reservoir, despite the abundance of fish, remains a technical challenge. It's not all about knowing how to fish or how to sound. Fish behaviour varies according to many parameters.
To do this, it's important to understand where it is. To make your analysis as complete and consistent as possible, there's nothing like running the deeper sounder. In each sector, the main data will emerge. Fish are found at the same depths, where the water temperature is identical.
These parameters are not visible when probing with a rod. On the other hand, once you've analysed and found the information, all you have to do is transcribe the data into fishing action. Finding the right depth, sometimes at different distances depending on the position. That's what makes these reservoirs so special.
And when all the information is properly analyzed, the fishing is all the better!
