Lake Annecy (27 km², up to 65 m deep) is managed by the local angling association; trout, whitefish (féra) and Arctic char are open 31 January–18 October. The waters with mapped locations lie 2.1 km to 7.3 km from the city centre. France: a fishing card (carte de pêche, including the CPMA environmental fee) is required for freshwater fishing; buy online at cartedepeche.fr or from local shops.
Where to fish
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Lac d'Annecy
lake7.3 km from the city centre
Fished for: whitefish (féra), Arctic char, lake trout, pike, perch, burbot, carp.
First-category public water managed by AAPPMA Annecy Lac Pêche (ALP).
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Thiou
river2.1 km from the city centre
Fished for: (same species and rules as the lake, down to the sluices above the Vieilles Prisons).
3.6 km outflow of the lake through Annecy.
Getting there: The lake lies at Annecy; the Thiou flows through the town.
What you can catch, and when
| Species | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 31 January–18 October | Minimum 50 cm; 2 per day, 10 per year. |
| Whitefish (féra / corégone) | 31 January–18 October | Minimum 37 cm; 4 per day. |
| Arctic char (omble chevalier) | 31 January–18 October | Minimum 30 cm; 4 per day. |
| Pike | 1 January–28 February and 25 April–30 November | Minimum 50 cm. |
| Perch and other species | 1 January–30 November (outside reserves) | All salmonids combined: 8 per day, 200 per year. |
Do you need a permit?
France: a fishing card (carte de pêche, including the CPMA environmental fee) is required for freshwater fishing; buy online at cartedepeche.fr or from local shops. Short-stay options include a one-day card and a 7-day weekly card. On Lake Annecy, annual ALP cards include a catch book; day/week cards with the 'traîne et sonde' option include a catch sheet.
Authority: Fédération de pêche de Haute-Savoie / AAPPMA Annecy Lac Pêche — hautesavoiemontblanc-tourisme.com
Good to know
- Season dates and limits come from the departmental tourist board page, which does not state the year — confirm against the current Haute-Savoie annual order.
- Groundbaiting banned on the lake; during the pike closed period lures or baitfish over 10 cm are banned.
- Trolling only for ALP members with the 'traîne et sonde' option (max 20 hooks, yellow 40 cm pennant on the boat).
- Fishing reserves at Menthon and Talloires, and on parts of the Thiou and its canals.
Places to stay around Annecy
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Frequently asked
Do you need a fishing permit near Annecy?
France: a fishing card (carte de pêche, including the CPMA environmental fee) is required for freshwater fishing; buy online at cartedepeche.fr or from local shops. Short-stay options include a one-day card and a 7-day weekly card. On Lake Annecy, annual ALP cards include a catch book; day/week cards with the 'traîne et sonde' option include a catch sheet.
What can you catch near Annecy?
Lake trout, Whitefish (féra / corégone), Arctic char (omble chevalier), Pike, Perch and other species. Seasons and limits differ by species — see the table on this page.
How far are the waters from Annecy?
Thiou: 2.1 km; Lac d'Annecy: 7.3 km (straight-line distance from the city centre).
Where to stay in Annecy
Sources
- Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Tourisme — Lake size, manager, species, seasons, sizes, quotas, card types, rules, reserves, Thiou
- Fédération de pêche de Haute-Savoie (2026 annual notice) — Salmonid limit 8/day and 200/year for corégone + omble combined
- Fédération de pêche de Loire-Atlantique — Fishing card required in French freshwater; daily and weekly card types; cartedepeche.fr
- Wikipedia — Coordinates
- Wikipedia — Thiou length and coordinates
- ReasonStay methodology — how facts are researched and checked