Camalo
Le Pondy, Central France
Lake Description
Camalo is located in the Cher, only 30 minutes south of Bourges (Central France). Surrounded by large expanses of forests, fields and spectacular landscapes, the 14 acre carp fishing lake has only 3 swims. The VIP swim features a chalet. All swims are situated on the northern bank. There are woods on the southern banks that provide some overhanging trees onto the lake. Managed by Guillaume, a professional fish farmer, Camalo has a spectacular carp stock that has been completed with the carp from his former venue Etang Neuf at the St. Augustine property. He believes that one out of two carp caught at Camalo will be over 40lb. There are at least 25 carp over 50lb and 3 over 70lb!
The Lake
Camalo has been dug out in the early 70's and from 2021 it's available for carp fishing. From the dam (right of swim 1) until the VIP swim, the water is fairly deep. In this area, the water is 2 (6ft) to 3 meters (10ft) deep. The fishing area in front of swim 3 is the shallow part with depths between 0,8 meter - 1 meter (3-4ft).
The bottom consists mainly of clay and sand. There are some stoney patches and silt pockets. There are hardly any obstacles.
Behind the swims there's a nice field with with cattle. The banks on the other side of the swims border a beautiful dense forest. There is a path around the lake.
Several streams fead Camalo. They guarantee the water level and oxygen of the carp fishing lake. In recent years, the water has hardly lost any water during the dry summer months.
The swims
The water counts only 3 gravelled swims. Swim 1 is a double swim, great to fish the area of the dam and the deeper area of the lake.
Swim 2 is also known as the VIP swim. Although the "peninsula" from the VIP swim is still visible on Google Maps, it has been removed in 2020. The anglers from the VIP swim fish from the bank. The VIP swim features a lodge with cooker, a small sofa, a double bed, a table with 4 chairs and a micro wave oven.
Swim 3 is at the far end of the lake. The swims 1 and 3 are located on a narrow peninsula. As far as swim 1 is concerned, this is a small peninsula, but 3 are almost in the middle of the water. You can fish practically 360 ° around the swim here.
Swim 3 can be booked by 1 or 2 anglers. 1 Angler can fish with up to 4 rods; 2 anglers with up to 6 rods. The fishing area is around 1.2 hectares in swim 3.
The anglers can reach the swims by car. After unloading, the car has to be parked in the designated area.
For 2€ per day, you can have electricity on swim 1 and 3. The electricity is included in the price for the VIP swim (swim 2).
The carp stock: 40lb+ average
Guillaume is a energetic fish farmer and manager of several carp fishing venues. Nauticarp isn't unknown in the carp scene. He runs lakes such as Etang Furet. Because he shut the lakes of Etang Neuf & Etang Rys on the St. Augustin property, he opened Camalo and La Loubière in 2021. Camalo is only a few minutes from his home and Etang Furet.
The original stocking of Camalo has been completed with the biggest fish of Etang Neuf. Now, Camalo has an impressive stocking! In total there are over 250 carp in the lake. The average weight of the carp caught at this lake is around 40lb.
3 fish are over 70lb and the biggest fish is a 32kg (70.6lb) mirror carp. The biggest common carp is 27kg (59.5lb). There's very nice koi carp up to 14kg (30lb) and grass carp up to 25kg (55lb).
There's some crayfish, but no poisson chat.
Service
On the venue there's new clean facilities with WC and shower. Here, you can upload your batteries & phones. For 2€ per day, you can have electricity on swim 1 and 3. The electricity is included in the price for the VIP swim (swim 2).
Guillaume sells pellets & boilies on site. He also offers food packs: English breakfast, French breakfast, evening meals. You can order the food packs prior to your arrival.
There are shops and supermarkets 10 minutes from the venue. 20 minutes from Camalo there's a small tackle shop.
To prevent carp diseases, own boats aren't allowed on the lake. But you can rent boats on site. 70€ for a rowing boat, 70€ per week for an e-motor and battery. Sounders are 35€ per week.
Holiday home
The VIP swim of Camalo features a refurbished Lodge with double bed & duvet, kitchenette, a table with 4 chairs, fridge and micro wave oven. The kitchen is equipped with essential cooking ware, pots & pans, dishes, glasses and cutlery sets for 4 pers...
Key points
- Lake: Camalo
- Departement: Cher
- Open: All year round
- Distance to lake: Le Havre - Camalo: 453km
- Surface: 14 acres (5,5 hectares)
- Bottom: Sand, some stoney areas, silt pockets
- Depth: 4ft-11ft deep (1,3 m - 3,3m)
- Max. Anglers: 6
- Stocking: 250 carp
- Lake record: 71lbs (32kg) mirror
- Access: All swims have car access
- Price per Angler: from 300€ (winter ticket: 225€) from Saturday to Saturday
- Price per non-Angler: 75€
- Lake Exclusive: 1950€ from Saturday to Saturday for up to 6 Anglers
- WIFI: No
