Carp Fishing at Pad’s Lake – Lac de Roger

Fontaine-Heudebourg, Eure, Normandy

Pad’s Lake is a quiet 5.5-hectare gravel pit with 250 carp to 28 kg (61 lb), only 2 hours 40 minutes from Calais. It’s proper French carp fishing without the long drive.

Pad’s Lake is the largest water on the Lac de Roger complex, set in the green Eure valley between Louviers and Évreux. It’s just 254 km (158 miles) from Calais, so you can be off the ferry or out of the tunnel and set up on your swim the same day. With a maximum of eight anglers on the lake, there’s plenty of peace and space. The lake is open from March to November, and night fishing is allowed. Bivvy, simple lodge or static caravan: at Pad’s Lake, the choice is yours.

The Lake

Pad’s Lake is a former gravel pit of 5.5 hectares with a varied bottom of gravel, sand and silt. With a maximum depth of 2.5 metres it isn’t a deep water, which makes it pleasantly easy to read. Take the time to lead around properly and you’ll soon find the hard spots and transitions where the carp like to feed. Weed isn’t an issue here, so you can fish with confidence over a clean bottom.

There are five swims for a total of eight anglers:

• Swim 1 is near the entrance. It’s a double swim with a 3x4 m wooden lodge with electricity.
• Swim 2 is also a double swim with a 3x4 m lodge and electricity, halfway along the lake. Between swims 1 and 2 there’s a toilet and shower block.
• Swim 3 is the comfort swim, with a static caravan that has one bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a large covered terrace. Behind it there’s a private toilet and shower block. It’s ideal for one or two anglers who want a bit of extra comfort. The caravan has no heating.
• Swims 4 and 5 are single swims on the narrow peninsula between swims 3 and 2. They’re lovely bivvy swims with electricity.

All swims are easily reachable by car. You unload your gear at the swim and then park in the car park. The lake is surrounded by natural banks and quiet Normandy countryside.

The Stock

Pad’s Lake holds around 250 carp, a nice mix of mirrors and commons. That’s a healthy stock for a water this size: you have a fair chance of a run, but you’ll have to work for it. The lake record is a 28 kg (61 lb) mirror, and the best common is 26 kg (57 lb). The complex also holds koi, grass carp, black bass, the odd sturgeon and catfish to 90 kg (198 lb). There are no poisson chat, but there is some crayfish.

Facilities

Next to swims 1 and 2 there’s a toilet and shower block with a shower, washbasin, toilet and a fridge with freezer compartment. Behind swim 3 you’ll find a second block with a shower, washbasin and toilet. The lodges on swims 1 and 2 are currently included free of charge with the swim.

Boats are available on site, but they may only be used to free fish that have become snagged. Your own boat and bait boat are allowed. A life jacket is compulsory whenever you’re in a boat. Dogs on a lead are welcome. There’s no Wi-Fi, so you can really switch off.

Coming as a group? Pad’s Lake can also be booked exclusively for up to eight anglers.