Theopening of fishing season 2025 is THE date that every angler waits for to start a new fishing season. Whether it's the opening of pike fishing or the opening of trout fishing, there are some important rules to follow. Find out all the dates and rules for the opening of fishing in 2025 and the closing in 2026.
Fishing opening dates 2025
- Difference between 1st and 2nd category waters
- Why set opening and closing dates for fishing?
- Trout fishing opens in 2025
- Pike fishing opens in 2025
- Opening of the common grayling fishery 2025
- Opening to fishing in 2025 for other species
- When can we fish? Legal hours for fishing
- Summary of opening dates for fishing and catch sizes at national level *.
Difference between 1st and 2nd category waters
Before we talk about the opening and closing dates for fishing in 2025, let's remind ourselves of a fundamental principle. There are two types of watercourse in France. 1st category waters and 2nd category waters. These categories determine the opening dates for trout and predator fishing.
A 1st category rivers is a watercourse that is mainly inhabited by salmonids. The trout, l'arctic char, l'common shadow, the huchon or the salmon are part of this species of fish.
This type of watercourse is commonly called " trout river "This is often the dominant species. This category of watercourse has a specific opening and closing date for fishing.
Conversely, a 2nd category rivers is a course mainly made up of cyprinids, known as "white fish". The roach, bleak, the carp, the bream or the chub are part of this family. For these white fish, there is no fishing season in 2024, no closing period. However, these rivers are also home to carnivorous fish. These include pikethe pike perchperch, black bass and catfish. There will be an opening and closing period for all these fish in 2024.
Why set opening and closing dates for fishing?
The opening and closing dates for fishing take into account the reproductive cycles of certain fish. This is called spawning season. The closure of the fishing season is therefore there to protect our fish during their breeding season. Failure to respect these reproduction periods during the closed season could result in financial penalties. Furthermore, as you will have realised, not respecting this resting period will lead to a long-term decline in fish populations.
WARNING :
Lhe opening dates for fishing in 2025 can be adapted to suit local circumstances. We therefore invite you to contact an AAPPMA in your département for further information. This will enable you to find out the exact opening and closing dates for the 2025 fishing season. at your house.
Trout fishing opens in 2025
Trout fishing always opens on the first day of the year. In 1st category, trout fishing opens from Saturday 8 March 2025, i.e. 2nd Saturday in March 2025. Fishing for trout in 2025 will close on Sunday 21 September 2025, be the third Sunday in September.
However, the opening date for trout in mountain lakes can be moved back to April, May or even June, depending on the department. The same applies to certain French rivers. We therefore recommend that you check the specific rules in force with the fishing federations or AAPPMAs in your region.
Here is some information you need to know when choosing your new home.The opening of the trout fishing season:
- The opening of trout fishing starts 30 minutes before sunrise
- The number of catches can vary from 0 to 10 fish according to departmental rules
- The minimum size for catching a trout can also vary depending on the watercourse. As a general rule, it is 30 cm
Pike fishing opens in 2025
The opening of the pike fishing season is the second most important date in the angler's calendar. In 2nd category, the opening date for pike fishing in 2025 is 26 April 2025. The closing date for pike fishing in 2026 is set at 30 January 2026, or the last Sunday in January.
On a national levelIt should be noted that other carnivores (pike perch, pole, catfish and black bass) are not "supposed" to be protected by a fishing season in 2025. These can be fished all year round at provided that they do not use fishing techniques likely to catch pike during the closed season. Worm fishing, for example, is permitted in these circumstances.
It should be noted, however, that more and more federations are taking steps to protect predators at local level. They are proposing opening and closing dates for fishing that differ from the national dates, depending on the reproduction periods of the various fish.
You should therefore contact the nearest AAPPMA in your department for more information.
Opening of the common grayling fishery 2025
Fishing for grayling in 2025 opens on 17 May and ends on 21 September 2025 in 1st category. In 2nd category, the opening and closing periods for common grayling in 2025 range from 17 May 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Opening to fishing in 2025 for other species
The salmonid fishery opens up Saturday 8 March 2025 to Sunday 21 September 2025 included in 2nd category waters.
For eels and migratory fish (Atlantic salmon, great shad, brown shad, sea lamprey, river lamprey and sea trout), specific fishing provisions exist at the local level.
You should therefore contact your nearest AAPPMA in order to know all the details regarding the exact dates applicable to these species.
When can we fish? Legal hours for fishing
For those of you wondering how late fishing is permitted, the law is clear. We can fish a half an hour before sunrise and an half an hour after going to bed.
The prefect may however locally authorize night fishing for certain species such as carp.
Summary of opening dates for fishing and catch sizes at national level *.
*Numerous derogations exist concerning the opening dates for fishing and catch sizes. For example, fishing is not closed in Aveyron, but reserves have been set up in places where carnivores reproduce.
Please contact your local AAPPMA.
Fishing opening dates 2025
- 8 March 2025 : Opening of trout fishing in 1st category
- 26 April 2025 : Opening of pike fishing
- 26 April 2025 : Opening of pike-perch fishing
- 17 May 2025 : Opening of the grayling fishery
- 26 April 2025 : Opening of black bass fishing
Fishing closure dates 2025
- 21 September 2025 : Closure of 1st category trout fishing
- January 30 2026 : Closure of pike fishing
- 21 September 2025 : Closure of the grayling fishery
- January 30 2026 : Closure of pike-perch fishing
- January 30 2022 : Fishing closure black-bass
Legal catch sizes 2025
- 30 cm for trout
- 60 cm for pike
- 50 cm for pike-perch
- 30 cm for the black-bass
- 30cm for common shade
