Fishing on the Burgundy Canal

The Burgundy Canal is an excellent destination for course fisherman. The lakes, rivers, reservoirs, canals and small trout streams have a large numbers of species, allowing all types of fishing.

There are Pike, Zander, Bream, Perch, Tench, Carp; and on the Saône, you will even find Wels Catfish "Silurus Glanis". On the faster flowing rivers, there are Trout and Aspe.

Obtaining the licence is a very simple process, as it can be obtained in local "news agents". The French law concerning fishing is based on a federal system, the licence you buy will give you the right to fish in a local area and on certain waters.

Here are some of the simple rules and politenesses to respect. You should keep at least 50 meters away from the locks both up and down stream. Fishing is not permitted in the lock, this is also for safety reasons. Avoid fishing from bridges and mooring sections. I have seen some local fisherman become annoyed because a barge wanted to use one of the few bollards to moor-up ! There is a rule of no more than three rods and one spinning rod, be careful as there is control for permits, minimum fish size and quotas.

Fishing on the canal is a calm affair, many fisherman use a simple rod, float and a fixed line, with no reel. However, much skill is required to land large fish with such techniques. Ledgering is a recent practice in the area, but some fish for the heavy carp using sweetcorn or small potatoes. Spinning is used for the perch, pike and sander. Live bait is also used for the pike and sander. You can obtain maggots ('asticot' or 'tima'), worms and minnows from nearby shops.

Although the water is calm on the canal, there is 'turbulance' caused by the filling and emptying of the locks; and when the large barges pass by.

In the nearby rivers, both the Ouche and Armançon, the trout season is very popular, with good brown trout stocked during spring.

The river Saône offers more diversity and large fish. There are impressive records for many species.

Types of fish on the canal and nearby waters

Here is a basic list of the fish which can be found in the region, on the left the English, name, then French then the latin version.

• Barbel : ()
• Bitterling : La Bouvière (rhodeus sericeus amarus)
• Bream : Brème (abramlis brama)
• Carp : Carpe (cyprinus carpio)
• Dace : La Vandoise (leuciscus)
• Pearch : Perche (perca fluviatilis)
• Pike : Le Brochet (esox lucius)
• Rudd : Gardon (rutilus rutilus)
• Silure : Silure (silurus glanis)
• Tench : Tanche (tinca tinca)
• Zander : Sandre (stizostedion lucioperca)

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