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In 2026, the inter-federal card costs 114 euros. It is the best-selling card in France, and allows you to fish in almost all French departments. A quick aside to start with: we're talking about a carte de pêche and not a permis de pêche, as I still see a lot of confusion among anglers. A fishing license requires an examination (e.g. car license, hunting license). There is no exam for a fishing licence, so let's all use the right term!
The example of 49
Many federations play the transparency card and explain how the money from fishing cards is distributed. Take Maine-et-Loire, for example, which, with 37,000 members each year, leads the way in sales. The cake is divided into five unequal portions for the inter-federal card.
The Federation
The departmental federation takes 33.20 euros of the 114 euros cost of the interfederal card, i.e. 29.12%. This money is used to pay the federation's employees, but also to run the federation's head office, its Maison Pêche Nature and its fish farm. Each angler also contributes to the financing of work for fishing leisure activities, such as the installation of pontoons, signposting, slipways... We can also add fish stocking, for example, or even the printing of the departmental guide and website hosting.
The FNPF
Immediately afterwards, the FNPF takes 33 euros (28.95%), redistributed indirectly to the federations but also to the Unions de Bassins, migratory associations, AAPPMAs... In the form of employment aid, subsidies for environmental rehabilitation actions... This money is also used, of course, to pay the salaries of the FNPF, or to promote the sport of fishing at national level. This is the famous CPMA: Cotisation Pêche Milieux Aquatiques.
Reciprocal groups
In third place, we find EHGO for our Maine-et-Loire example, which pockets 27 euros and redistributes them to federations that are less well off or that carry out real actions at the water's edge. The federations call on reciprocal groups (URNE, EHGO, CHI) to purchase water features, for example. The EHGO receives nothing for the adult card, or any other card for that matter.
Association and water agency
Next comes the AAPPMA with 12 euros (10.53%). In fact, this is the only adjustment variable for an angler who can choose a deserving association in his department. This money is used to stock fish, maintain fishing leases, organize "Ateliers Pêche Nature" or a competition, for example...
Finally, the Water Agencies take the last share, i.e. 8.80 euros (7.72%). This is the famous RMA Redevance des Milieux Aquatiques. For our example, it's the Loire-Bretagne Water Agency that collects the money from anglers and invests it in restoring waterways, reducing agricultural and domestic pollution, and managing rainwater.
The cake is shared differently for the other fishing cards. For example, for the 12-euro daily pass, the Agence de l'Eau will take 1 euro, the Maine-et-Loire federation 4.90 euros, the FNPF 4.20 euros and the AAPPMA 1.90 euros. But remember that this money is always reinvested in fishing, even if some actions seem more sensible than others!
