The Loire, a wild river to fish
What strikes anglers discovering the Loire is its unspoilt nature. The last great wild river in Europe, little engineered, it unfurls a shifting course of sandbanks, secondary channels and changing currents that harbour a rich fish population. Around Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, the river and its tributaries make up a vast and varied playground, where fast stretches alternate with calm waters, ideal for different techniques. This diversity delights anglers, from the beginner come to tempt small fry to the seasoned predator-hunter in search of thrills. Fishing the Loire also means experiencing the river from within, close to its birds, its islands and its light. For anyone who loves nature as much as the catch, it is an experience apart in the Loire Valley.
The species you find in the Loire
The Loire and its tributaries harbour a fine variety of fish. Among the predators, the pike, feared for its lightning strikes, the zander, more subtle and prized by lure anglers, and the catfish, giant of the waters that can reach impressive sizes and provide spectacular fights. There is also the perch, voracious and combative, and the formidable black bass in certain backwaters. Among the coarse fish, shoals of roach, bleak and other small fry delight float anglers and families. This variety lets you tailor your outing to the mood of the day: a quiet morning with the float, or a sporting hunt for predators. The species and their abundance vary by stretch and by season, and you should respect the legal sizes and seasons specific to each.
The fishing permit, essential and simple
To fish the Loire legally, a fishing permit is compulsory. It comes in various forms, by the day, the week or the year, and funds the protection of aquatic habitats through the approved associations that manage the rivers. It is very easy to obtain today, online or from local outlets such as certain tackle shops. The price depends on the chosen formula and the holder, with specific permits for young people, women and discovering holidaymakers. My advice: get your permit before heading to the water, and find out about the precise stretch you intend to fish, as the rights may vary from one section to another. Check the exact arrangements and prices with the departmental fishing federation, which sets and updates them each year.
The best spots around Meung and Beaugency
The stretch from Meung-sur-Loire to Beaugency, around ten kilometres apart, offers fine fishing posts. The riverbanks, reached by the towpaths and the Loire by Bike route, let you work the margins, the dead arms and the edges of the sandbanks where predators lie in wait. The confluences with the small tributaries are sought-after zones, where food gathers and draws the fish. The tips of the islands and the deeper holes appeal to those after larger specimens. On foot or by float tube, you reach varied posts without heavy gear. As always on a wild river, caution is essential: treacherous currents, shifting beds and unstable sandbanks demand vigilance and good sense. Scout the access points and stay alert to the water level, which can rise quickly.
Float-tube fishing, sport and discretion
The float tube, that small inflatable individual craft in which you sit at water level, is winning over more and more anglers on the Loire. Its asset is discretion. You approach posts without noise, work zones unreachable from the bank, and experience the river at its closest. It is a wonderful technique for hunting predators in the secondary arms and the calm zones. But the Loire commands respect: its currents, its sandbanks and its changing beds make it a demanding terrain, to be reserved for experienced practitioners. Wearing a life jacket is essential, as is a good knowledge of the stretch and of the day's conditions. I strongly advise against the float tube for beginners alone on the river: it is better to start out accompanied, on a calm stretch of water, before venturing onto the Loire.
Calling on a local fishing guide
To discover fishing on the Loire, especially if you barely know the river, calling on a local guide is, to my mind, the best of choices. A professional guide knows the posts, the techniques suited to the season, and above all the dangers of the wild river: they take you safely to where the fish hold. They generally provide the gear, share their know-how, and tailor the outing to your level, from the complete beginner to the seasoned angler after catfish. It is an excellent way to gain years of experience in a single day, and to enjoy a successful outing without fumbling. Several guides work in the Loire area: enquire ahead, compare the offerings and book, as good guides are in demand. A guided day also makes an ideal gift for a fishing-mad friend or relative.
Regulations and respect for the habitat
Fishing the Loire also means caring for it. The regulations, set by order and relayed by the fishing associations, govern the open seasons specific to each species, the minimum sizes for keeping fish, the number of permitted catches and the allowed techniques. The pike, for instance, is subject to a closed season to protect its spawning. Respecting these rules guarantees the survival of the resource for all. I also recommend catch-and-release on the large predators, which involves gently returning the fish after admiring it: a practice increasingly shared. Beyond the rules, respect for the habitat comes down to simple gestures: leaving nothing on the banks, preserving the vegetation and the peace of nesting birds. Always consult the regulations in force with the departmental federation before your outing.
Fishing as a family or on a discovery stay
Fishing is not reserved for specialists: it is also a soothing family activity. A morning with the float, on the banks of the Loire, catching roach and bleak, delights children and gently introduces them to the pleasure of fishing and to patience. Specific permits, at reduced rates, exist for the youngest, and certain stretches or introductory sessions ease the first steps. It is an ideal natural interlude between two château visits, teaching observation and respect for living things. From La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, the river is close at hand, and the banks, reachable on foot or by bike, lend themselves perfectly to these simple moments. Bring something to shield you from the sun, water, a snack, and let the rhythm of the river do the rest: fishing here is a school of happy slowness.
To fish the Loire is to make contact with one of the last wild rivers in Europe, among zander, pike and catfish, in unspoilt landscapes. With a permit, respect for the regulations and, ideally, a guide to start out, the experience is unforgettable. From La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, the river and its finest spots are waiting, ten minutes from Beaugency and 1h30 from Paris.