Fishing in Occitanie

Stretching from the Spanish border to the Mediterranean Sea, Occitanie did not appear on the maps before the administrative reform of 2014. It was created by merging Languedoc-Roussillion and Midi-Pyrénées, and the resulting southern expanse is one of France’s most geographically diverse and fishing-rich regions. It includes the rugged Pyrenees mountains, the sprawling plains of Languedoc, and a glittering Mediterranean coastline with fishing ports like Sète, Gruissan, and Port-Vendres. The region offers everything from fly fishing for wild trout in alpine streams to casting for bluefin tuna off sunlit coasts. Occitanie’s climate varies with geography: the coast enjoys a Mediterranean climate—hot, dry summers and mild winters—while the mountains are cooler and wetter. This diversity makes for year-round angling, with spring and autumn ideal for freshwater pursuits, and summer into early fall prime for saltwater excursions. Travelers typically fly into Toulouse, Montpellier, or Perpignan, with excellent road and rail access to inland and coastal fishing hubs. Fishing licenses are required for freshwater (and easily purchased online), while most saltwater fishing is open-access or covered by charter permits.

Fishing in Occitanie spans both freshwater and saltwater realms. The Tarn, Lot, and Aveyron rivers, plus mountain streams and high-altitude lakes in the Pyrenees, provide world-class fly and spin fishing for trout and grayling. Larger rivers and lowland lakes offer coarse and predator fishing for pike, perch, zander, and carp. Canal systems, like the Canal du Midi, offer relaxed angling in scenic, accessible settings. The Mediterranean coast is a playground for inshore and offshore anglers alike. You can bottom fish over reefs, troll for pelagics, or cast lures from rocky jetties. The steep drop-offs near towns like Sète and Leucate allow quick access to bluewater species.

Fly fishing is the method of choice in mountain rivers, using dry flies, nymphs, or streamers depending on water level and season. Spin fishing with spoons and soft plastics is effective for trout, perch, and zander in mid-altitude rivers and lakes. For pike, large jerkbaits and swimbaits are commonly used, while carp anglers employ classic European techniques—boilies, method feeders, and long sessions. On the Mediterranean, trolling is the go-to for tuna and pelagics, using skirted lures, feathers, or live bait. Bottom fishing near rocky reefs and shipwrecks is productive for bream, scorpionfish, and grouper. Shore anglers use surfcasting rigs or spinning setups with natural bait or lures. In calm conditions, kayak fishing is also popular, especially near rocky outcrops and artificial reefs.