Carpanium
Saint-Maurice-Montcouronne, Central France
Lake Description
Etang Carpanium
Welcome to Carpanium, the ultimate destination for carp fishing enthusiasts! Nestled amidst the serene beauty of the French countryside, this stunning lake spans an impressive 37 acres (15 hectares), providing an idyllic haven for anglers seeking tranquility and exceptional fishing experiences.
Located just a short 30-minute drive south of the vibrant city of Paris - and a 3 hour drive from Calais - Carpanium offers a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. As you step onto this property, you'll be greeted by a serene ambiance, where the only sounds you'll hear are the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional splash of a carp breaking the water's surface. Say goodbye to the noise of cars and motorways; here, you can immerse yourself in the peacefulness of nature.
At Carpanium, the bailiff Alex takes great pride in maintaining his venue to the highest standards. His property boasts meticulously mowed lawns, creating a picturesque setting that is both aesthetically pleasing and conducive to a comfortable angling experience. From the moment you arrive, you'll notice the attention to detail and the immaculate cleanliness that permeates every aspect of the lake.
With 14 generously-sized swims available, Carpanium provides ample space for a maximum of 17 anglers. This long stretched old gravel pit has some reed lined margins and many overhanging trees. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, the swims offer the perfect vantage points to reel in the big one. Each swim has been thoughtfully designed to ensure that you have ample room to set up your equipment and fish in complete comfort. Stocked with 650 healthy and strong carp, the lake record is 27,5kg.
So come join us at Carpanium, where the serenity of the countryside meets the thrill of carp fishing. Discover the joy of casting your line into our pristine waters, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Experience the perfect balance between relaxation and excitement, as you create unforgettable memories and reel in your prized catch. Book your stay today and embark on an angling adventure like no other.
The Lake
The lake bed is composed of gravel and sand with some silt pockets. Finding a clean and hard zone on the gravel gives the best results. Otherwise the bottom is quite uniform and apart from the overhanging trees, there are very few snags.
Carpanium's lake bed features gentle slopes that gradually descend towards the middle, offering an intriguing fishing environment. At the heart of the lake, you'll find a distinctive ridge, creating a shallower area of water. The depths range from 3ft (1m) to 16ft (5m). The deepest part of the lake is located between swim 14 and swim 6, providing an exciting challenge.
Please note that during the months of June, July, and August, there may be some weed formation, especially in the area of swims 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14; adding an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to your fishing experience. This time of the year a boat is a must in these swims.
During these months you need a boat to fish in these swims. Also, from 1st June to 31st August braided mainlines and barbed hooks are tolerated. Braided mainlines actually are highly recommended. The rest of the year only barbless hooks and nylon mainlines should be used. Also, please use a 0.50-0.60mm snag leader (6 - 8 m long).
For swims 1 to 6 have less weed, but still, a boat is of great help and you're allowed to fish with braided main lines. 0.50-0.60mm snag leader is compulsory.
There have been no issues with poisson chat.
Fishing & baits
For a weeks fishing, we estimate anglers need on average:
- around 30kg of boilies
- 15kg hemp
- 5 kg tigre nuts (May to September)
- 5kg fishmeal pellets (these can be purchased on site at Carpanium).
Spicy boilies don't work at Carpanium. The best boilies are 15-20mm fishmeal boilies, creamy boilies or sweet boilies. Also bring wafters of 15, 18 or 20mm. The most popular popup colours are white and pink.
Rigs
- use a 6 - 8 meter snag leader of 0.50-0.60mm.
- bring heavy weights 120 et 150 gr (4,5,6oz) ("grippa") for long range fishing or under the banks (overhanging trees). Your rig should stay in place.
- hooklink: you can use whatever material you feel comfortable with.
- hook size: recommended is sizes 4-6
Swims
There are 14 large swims, well spaced out around the venue, that offer plenty of water for a maximum of 17 anglers. The swims are very well kept and the car can be parked on the grassy area behind the swim. Most swims have been dug out and are gravelled. Swims 1 to 11 are single swims, whereas swim 12, 13 and 14 are doubles.
Stocking
There are approximately 650 carp in the lake. This continues to grow as additional stock is handpicked by Alex and added every autumn. The average weight sits at mid thirties with the lake record mirror 61lb (27,50kg). You'll see some lovely linears, fully scaled mirrors and kois. Apart from the bait used by anglers, the fish also feed on abundant natural food including bloodworm, crayfish (they don't cause problems for the fishing), freshwater mussles and snails.
Carpanium has a small population of grass carp and some sturgeon. Other species are pike, roach, tench and perch. No bream, catfish or poisson chat.
Service
The facilities are in the lodge, close to swim 1. There is a clean sanitary block with running water, WC and shower. Here, you'll also find plenty of charging points for your batteries and phones. There is a freezer for your baits. On site, cooler packs are available for your cool box. There's no fridge.
Around the property, there are 4 well-maintained and clean toilets.
The bailiff Alex takes great pride in maintaining his venue to the highest standards. He is at the lake at daily basis and will help you if needed.
If you want to order food, there's free delivery at Pizza O'Delice. They make great pizza, pasta, sandwiches, french fries, chicken, salads, kebab, hamburgers. If you want, Alex can help you make the order.
Boat rental: on site you can rent a boat for ground baiting, placing off hooklinks etc.
Key points
- Lake: Carpanium
- Open: March-Mid November
- Distance: 338km (3 hours) from Calais
- Surface: 37 acre (15 hectares)
- Bottom: Gravel, sand and some silt pockets
- Depths: from 3ft (1m) to 16ft (5m)
- Anglers: maximum 17
- Stock: 650 carp
- Weedformation: June to September
- Access: swims have car access
- Price angler: 275€ per angler
- Price non-fishing: 50€ per guest
- Lake Exclusive: 3750€
- Wifi: no
