A 1,000-hectare artificial lake
With its 45 kilometers of shoreline and 1,000 hectares, Lac de Vassivière is one of France's largest man-made lakes. Adjacent to the Parc Naturel Régional des Millevaches, in the Creuse and Haute-Vienne départements, Lac de Vassivière is a small paradise for fishing enthusiasts, and particularly for predator anglers.
Situated at an altitude of almost 650 metres, Lac de Vassivière is an artificial lake created in the winter of 1950. More than 100 million cubic meters of water have covered ancient, deserted villages to create an atypical landscape, reminiscent of Canada in autumn. The shores of the lake are deeply indented, and there are no fewer than 7 wild islands. The lake is shallow, barely 30 meters deep, with numerous shoals and ancient human structures providing shelter for the many fish present.
The water is often clear and amber-colored due to the presence of ancient peat bogs at the bottom of the lake.
Fishing on Lake Vassivière
Classed as a second category lake, Lac de Vassivière is renowned for its large fish population. Indeed, record-breaking pike-perch and numerous pike exceeding one meter populate these pure waters. The lake also boasts a fine population of perch. Whitefish, roach and bream are well represented in terms of population, as are rotengle and a few tench. The clear waters are also home to a few carp, some of them quite large.
With its indented shoreline and numerous coves, Lac de Vassivière can be fished both from the shore and by boat. Lure anglers will find plenty of carnivorous fish, while whitefish enthusiasts will be able to try their hand at jigging or feeder fishing. The southern part of the lake is more accessible and therefore more suitable for shore fishing, with its many arms and inlets.
Opening times :
- Pike: May 1 to last Sunday in January
- Pike-perch: 2nd Saturday in June to 2nd Sunday in March
Legal catch sizes :
- Pike-perch: 50 cm
- Pike: over 60 cm and under 80 cm
Useful information
- Carp: 6 linear spots for night carp fishing
- A "Family" fishing trail at Nergout
- Engines allowed 20 km/h
- 4 ports: Auphelle, Broussas, Nergout, Vauveix,
- 4 free concrete boat launches
- 24-hour service station in Auphelle
