Etang 5 – Carp fishing in France

Etang 5 is a 60 + acre venue and French owned – The lake is not the type of venue I would recomend for all inclusive trips or carp fishing holidays! It’s more for the experienced angler who has a boat in the swim ready to go out to the fish day or night, and is a venue I would recommend to those looking that are looking to move their French fishing up a gear. The downside is that this lake responds to pressure and boat activity, consequently fishes well when their are fewer anglers and little boat pressure. Nowadays I drive on by to other lakes if I see too many bivies.

It’s not a lake for the inexperienced carp angler – it’s full of weed, you need to get in a boat day and night to land the carp. Etang 5 is not the ideal Holiday venue, it is for the experienced angler who can find small holes in the weed, can play fish from a boat. If you dont have this experience or dont have a boat in your swim then I would advise visiting an easier lake.

However if you are ready for the challenge and have years of experience, you know how to locate small holes in dense weed and undersatnd tactics to land carp from such situations then Etang 5 does contain some big carp. But be prepared to blank, even those with a lot of experience often blank on this lake especially now it has become more commercial – be prepared, dont risk it if you are not!

It is ideal for those experienced carp angler who wish to step up from the smaller lakes or for those that already enjoy the challenges of fairly large lakes. Even though I no longer grace the banks of etang 5 for long sessions, I still use it for long weekend sessions or as a stop of to break up the journey from the mid French regions. Not only for a chat with the lake owner and one of his coffee’s but also in the hope of enticing one of the many 40 – 50 lb (17.5 – 22.5 kg) plus carp that follow the features in search of crustaceans.
Some good catches of carp of a good average size have been taken to those that know what they are doing on such lakes; a good example of which was demonstrated by a couple of Dutch anglers when on an immense 5 week stretch. They caught over 100 carp with 40 of them being over 35 lbs (13 kg) and 10 x 40s and a couple of 50’s. After a quick introduction they thanked me for bringing the lake to their attentions by way of a few paragraphs published several years ago. However they and many others have sent emails requesting information on my suggested approach, unfortunately it takes time in my busy schedule to reply to all, therefore I apologise for not getting back to everyone that requests information.
I was fishing etang 5 and many of the other venues in the valley for several years prior to encountering any other anglers on its banks. It was then an up and coming lake due to the growth rate of its inhabitants, many of which are in the 30 – 40 lb (13-17.5 kg) bracket. If the weight increase within the last few years is anything to go by it wont be long until it holds an awesome head of 40s/50s (17.5-22.5 kg)!
A number of rule changes were introduced during the latter half of 2003. Hence the reason I am writing this full feature, many of the new rules are in favour of the carp angler, now there’s a change. Especially considering the French local bureaucracy that an owner must adhere to. By law they are required to request boats, camping and many other aspects of carp fishing that we take for granted. After years of negotiation the lake manager Jean Claude has gained the right to allow rowing boats and electric motors on etang 5. This has an obvious impact upon the approach to the lake, no more spoding for hours, a quick boat trip and features can be located or spots prepared amongst the dense weed.

Etang 5 – swims features

The banks are fairly open and grassed for 20-30 yards from the waters edge prior to meeting the sparse mature woodland. Due to this there are no areas where a bivvy cannot be erected i.e. turn up and fish where you like, there is nothing worse than fishing pre booked swims i.e. if the fish aren’t in your swim there’s little chance of moving. You may as well be in the water without a paddle! Hence the reason I dislike the idea of pre-reserved posts – since this feature was published in 2003 Jean claude no longer allows swim reservations, so dont think you can turn up on your all inclusive trip and have the best swims, he will take money and allow swims on a first come first served basis – Good on you Jean Claude.
The many weeping willows give this lake its scenic ambience; it is fairly open but still scenic in the warmer months. The road bank bay is the only area where you can get under the trees to escape the summer sun, therefore if you are not a bronze Adonis then I recommend you take a sun shade of some description in high summer.
In the past the venue was open all year however in order to gain the boating rights the fishing season was adjusted, compromises were made with the local authorities. The lake is now open from April to October (latest rules may differ), no fishing is allowed outside of these dates, this allows the bird watchers a little peace and quiet and gives the carp a well-earned break. I have nothing against this as I also enjoy a bit of bird watching in the summer months.
Weed is a major problem during May, June, July, August and Sept and in the past I would not fish the lake during these periods, now that boats are allowed the weed is not such a problem as their are clear areas, that said every angler needs a boat next to their rods or you will lose possibly damage carp in the dense weed.
Although the lake is fishable in its entirety, as with all lakes there are a number of swims on etang 5 that stand out above the rest due to features and command of water. Therefore I will name the prime areas in no particular order as the producing spots differ in accordance with time of year and weather conditions and of course the weed.
Goose point – The swim is a peninsula of about an acre in size and situated mid way along the neighbouring lake bank and is the most prominent peninsula, it is comfortable to fish once you have swept away the mountains of wild fowl faeces, geese use this area to release their under slung load! Hence the reason it is also known as shit spit – not so many geese in last few years.
Road bank swims on Etang 5 – The multitude of swims along this bank are fairly consistent producers with the prime swim being the ones close by the weeping willows. The main features Ive found are the numerous clearings in the weed at around 160 – 200 yards, they can be seen whilst in the boat?
The beach – This is the swim I have spent a lot of time in due to it being a producer of big fish and having a range of depths to fish to. The prime spots are small clearings in the weed which can be found from 100 + yards, but do take a bit of finding, Im talking areas the size of dust bin lids. This point also commands the channel to the bay and one of the deeper areas lies to the front of the channel, although you wouldny think it when the weed is high as you can see the top of the weed, which is often mistaked as the depth. It is an open swim and not the prettiest on the lake but a producer especially when the wind is blowing into the bay – during high weed you will not get a marker float through most of the swims therefore depths can be deceptive..
Bay swims on Etang 5 – If your visit coincides with the carps yearly sexual ritual then you would be wise to check the bay as this is the main spawning area. It is from these bays that some big hits have been taken, just before or just after the carp’s yearly viagra period.
Th etang 5 distant banks, the populars etc – The swims on the far bank have produced some of the biggest carp and best hits. It was from these banks that the Dutch guys I was speaking to had a bit of a result.

Baits and tactics for Etang 5

Boats are allowed on etang 5 to bait up but not for towing lines to extreme distances: meaning that you can place your markers, bait up, play fish or clear weed, but are not authorized for rowing and dropping of rigs more than 150 yards (some dont know how far 150 yards is). Personally I think this is a sensible rule as many anglers on large French lakes break the rules by rowing baits out well over 300 metres, good for the edge seekers but not necessarily good for the welfare of the carp. Additionally it pushes the fish further out of reach, at what stage does it end? When the angler has ran out of line on the spool?
Most pellets, boilie’s of decent quality will catch fish on this lake, however I believe that the allowance of boats will soon change the carps traditional habits. Yes they will be caught over large beds in the initial stages of boats being allowed but will soon become wise and avoid mass baited areas or may even spook to boats. Therefore what I recommend today is probably yesterdays news, therefore my advice would be to go with your past experience’s and instincts. If they are feeding well then put a little more bait in to monopolise on the feeding situation, if they are not then reduce accordingly, basic principles of carp fishing, but do ensure that when you place your rig on etang 5 you do have a chance of landing them from the dense weed. If you are in doubt then go to a commercial lake.
Having carried out a number of experiments I am now convinced that a clip festooned to the swivel presents a prominent pulling point to release a lead, reducing the chances of a carp towing long lines of lead? Try experimenting with a lead clip that is pushed onto the swivel rather than locked. When pulled back against force the clip and lead tends to slide along the line often causing a line tangle, the possible outcome being a carp towing a lead and long length of line – carp deaths! Alternately tye the leade on using 5lb line, the lead is released every time with this method.

Stock of this lake in france

Carp were introduced into the lake over 20 years ago, since then Jean Claude has introduced carp on a yearly basis. In 2001 a further large stocking of several hundred high singles and doubles were stocked. These fish have piled the weight on and are now averaging 20-30 lbs (9-13 kg). The older stock average 30 – 50 lbs (13-22 kg). Nowadays you are as likely to catch a 30 (13 kg) as you are a 20 (9 kg), from my estimations there was several hundred carp in the lake to 70 lbs + (recent years Ive noticed a decline in the carp stock). The average size during 2004 was between 25 – 40 lbs, within 2 years I expect it to rise to 30 – 45 lbs (13-20 kg) and a couple of fish surpassing 60 lbs (27 kg). I would not be at all surprised if it produces a high 60 (28 kg) within the next 3 years, all for the price of 140 euros (£100) per angler per week with up to 4 rods. (since this article was wrote there have been a few low 70’s from the lake but not the 80’s as stated elswhere) as at 2008 I firmly beleive that there are 3 carp in etang 5 over 70 lb and that is depending on time of year.

Facilities at Etang 5

Jean Claude’s issues tickets for etang 5 from the fast food van is situated within the lay-by close to the lake entrance. Fishing tickets and a gate key must be purchased from him prior to fishing; the key deposit of 10 euro and is refunded upon departure, on last look tickets for one week cost about £150 (180 euro) not bad £150 per person per week for 4 rods?
A track parallels the lake’s banks allowing park and fish in all swims. I recommend a drive round the lake prior to setting up camp and a chat with other anglers to determine where the majority of the carp have been coming out.

Route to this Etang in France

The route is fairly straightforward and even those that dont wish to drive in France can manage this route. It’s an easy drive from Calais with only a couple of small junctions on route. Driving time from both being approximately 2 hrs 15 minutes and a toll cost of 15 euros. Leave the motorway at junction 9 on the A1; follow the signs to Pont St Mexance. Drive through the centre of the village until you come to a Bridge over the River L Oise. Take the left turn immediately after crossing the bridge; carry on the road that parallels the river, the lake is on the right side. If you get lost ask for directions at the tackle shop, which is only 30 yards from the bridge in Pont St Maxence.
There are numerous shops for groceries in the village, including Lidl and Aldi, they are clearly sign posted – etang 5 has facilities close by..

Etang 5 – conclusion

Many memories are etched from etang 5, hence the reason I have visited the lake on a regular basis for over 10 years. Allowing boats means it is possible to fish here during the summer months without the fear of loosing every fish in weed, it’s a good lake for those with experience, however if you dont have a boat in your swim forget it! You will end up losing all and possibly damaging or worse still killing large carp – etang 5 is best left to the experienced angler.

A few additional pointers; when there lake is a lot of pressure it switches off, when anglers go out in boats on a regular basis the carp move away, when inexperienced anglers use inferior tackle carp are lost in weed. You will need a fish finder, 15 lb line big pit reels. If you are one of those then Etang 5 is for you, if not go to a commercial lake.

Etnag 5 is a good venue – not for the inexperienced angler though