Carp fishing at Camalo
Le Pondy, Central FranceLake 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 swims. Swim 1 is a double swim, great to fish the area near the dam and the deeper area of the lake. For 3€ per day, you can have electricity on the swim.
Swim 2 is also known as the VIP swim, ideal for 2 anglers. Although the "peninsula" from the VIP swim is still visible on Google Maps, it has been removed in 2020. The anglers fish from a large grassy swim. The VIP swim features a brand new lodge, called "le Kube", with cooker, a small sofa, a double bed, a table with 4 chairs and a micro wave oven. There's electricity and it's included in the price. The VIP swim can be reached by car.
Swim 3 is a double swim with loads of features. For the 2025 season the swim has been shifted slightly to the left and given a major upgrade. It is now a wide, double swim, allowing anglers to fish the entire bay to the left, as well as the open water in front and the overhanging trees on the right. With plenty of exciting features, it’s a swim that any carp angler will enjoy exploring.
This swim also now includes a bungalow with electricity, two bedrooms, and a small kitchen, complete with sheets, blankets, and pillows. You can drive within 30-40 meters of the swim, with the last part of the journey on foot. Photos of the new setup will be coming very soon!
For running water, you can go to the facilities where you'll find WC, washbasin and showers. Swim 3 can be approached by car in dry conditions. You'll have to walk 30-40 meters to reach the swim. On rainy days, the terrain gets too soft and cars better stay on the main track.
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. When the crayfish are active, espacially during the hotter summer months, avoid using fishmeal boilies or pellets, and protect your baits (wrap...).
Service
On the venue there's new clean facilities with WC and shower. Here, you can upload your batteries & phones.
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. Fish finder is 35€ per week.
Holiday home
The VIP swim of Camalo features a refurbished Lodge "Le Kube" 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 ...
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 360€ (winter ticket: 180€) from Saturday to Saturday
- Price per non-Angler: 75€
- Lake Exclusive: 1950€ from Saturday to Saturday for up to 6 Anglers (1460€ winter price)
- WIFI: No
Rules - Camalo
Central France1. The angler should bring a valid booking confirmation.
2. It’s allowed to fish 24 hrs per day - catch and release
3. Boats allowed, but only those rented on site (no own boats). R/C bait boats allowed.
4. Swimming is forbidden.
5. Allowed rigs: “carp friendly” rigs (safety bolt rigs, central shocking system, helicopter), only (micro) barbed hooks (size 4, 6 & 8) and nylon mainline. The hook link may be stiff or braided, but should always be less strong than the main line.
6. Not Allowed: carp sacs, bent hooks, braided mainline, peanuts, tiger nuts. Lead Core is not allowed. Rig tube is allowed.
7. 3 Rods per angler (except swim 3: max 4 rods) Bivvies and tents should be brown or green.
Each angler should have a big landing net with a min. size of 90 cm and a big unhooking mat (min. 4 cm thick, 60 cm large and 90 cm long), a big weigh sling and Klinic to disinfect the hook wounds.
8. Fishing is only allowed on the booked swims.
9. Please return the fish carefully to the water. Please unhook the fish and make pictures of the fish in the water, no fish on the bank.
10. Marking or steeling fish will be reported immediately to the local Police (Gendarmerie).
11. Alcohol abuse and drugs are not tolerated.
12. Please respect the nature and the tranquillity of the site. Keep clean the sanitary building and the swims. Please separate waste in the designated containers.
13. Dogs are allowed. Open fire is not allowed. Gas cookers and barbecues are allowed.
14. The owner can keep the refundable payment if you don’t respect the regulations
15. Arrival at 14:00h. Please do NOT arrive before 14:00h. Departure at 11:00 AM for swim 1; 10:00 AM for swims VIP and swim 3
16. The owner and the bailiff can check the hook links at any time.
17. The owner is not responsible for theft, fire, injury or what so ever.
18. A 5€ waste collection fee per person has to be paid on arrival. For the chalet in the VIP swim there's 50€ cleaning fee to be paid on arrival.
19. For the VIP Lodge and the accommodation in swim 3, there's a 500€ refundable deposit to be paid with credit/ debit card (PayPal) on arrival.
20. Accommodation: Heating expenses (70€ per week), Cleaning fee (50€), pets fee (10€) can be paid on arrival.
21. Each angler should sign the regulations declaring that he/she accepts them.
IMPORTANT: IN CASE OF URGENCIES CALL: 112
Reviews
Great week, fish in siluperb condition, fish to the margins fish seem to move together. Owner very helpful, facilities clean.
Will definitely be back.
Feed boilies little and often, cast to showing fish
Mooie omgeving.
Swims need moving
Prachtig betaalwater, 38 karpers tot 23.8kg gevangen over heel het water tijdens de week.