Where can I fish for carp weighing over 30 kilos in public waters?

The quest for very large fish is the ultimate dream of many carp anglers . While some private lakes already boast impressive records, public waters remain the true playground for enthusiasts seeking authenticity and challenges.

Eric Deboutrois with a carp weighing over 30 kilos caught in a large French lake

Catching a carp weighing over 30 kilos in a river, lake or public dam is not just an achievement: it is the culmination of patient research, a well-thought-out strategy and a good dose of perseverance.

In France: the must-see spots

Arnauld Béquignion, Alias ​​Nono, with a 30+ public domain

The great lakes and dams

• Lake Der-Chantecoq (Marne/Haute-Marne)

  
  

  An Eastern giant, renowned for its abundant fish stocks and spectacular carp.

• Saint-Cassien (Var)

  
  

  The world legend of carp fishing, still a mythical place today.

• Carcès (Var)

  
  

  A wild, challenging but rewarding body of water, where very large specimens swim.

• Salagou (Hérault)

  
  

  A pristine, vast and mysterious lake, home to some truly remarkable records.

• Lake of the Orient (Aube, Orient Forest)

  
  

  A huge reservoir where the density and size of the carp attract many enthusiasts every year.

• The lakes of the Landes region (Sanguinet, Biscarrosse, Cazaux, Parentis, etc.)

  
  

  Vast and wild natural expanses, rich in impressive carp.

The major rivers and streams

• The Seine : from Paris to Normandy, regularly the source of spectacular catches.

• The Saône : renowned for its exceptional density of large fish.

• The Loire : a wild and unpredictable river, with enormous potential.

• The Lot : a paradise for lovers of varied fishing spots and fighting carp.

• The Charente : calm and discreet, but with impressive fish.

• The Yonne : a tributary of the Seine that hides some beautiful surprises.

• The Rhône : a powerful and vast river, capable of providing the fish of a lifetime...

Gravel pits: hidden treasures of the public domain

Beyond its famous lakes and rivers, France abounds with gravel pits in the public domain . Often discreet and less publicized, these waters sometimes harbor spectacular carp, well over 25 or 30 kilos. Their abundance of natural food, varying depths, and tranquility make them ideal environments for the development of record-breaking fish.

In Europe: Public Domain Legends

Spain

• Orellana Reservoir : a legendary spot, renowned for its record-breaking fish.

• Mequinenza (Ebro) : known for its catfish, but also home to some exceptional carp.

• Guadiana : a river that remains mysterious, rich in potential.

  
  

Italy

• Lake Pusiano : a benchmark in Lombardy, with impressive carp.

• The Po : Italy's largest river, wild and unpredictable.

  
  

Hungary

• Lake Balaton : the largest lake in Central Europe, with fish of colossal weights.

  
  

Romania

• Raduta : legendary since the 90s, with carp exceeding 35 kg.

• Danube Delta : a natural paradise home to monstrous specimens.

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Germany & Austria

• Large alpine lakes and public gravel pits, still little known, but with incredible fish for the most persistent.

Catching a carp weighing over 30 kilos in public waters is a unique adventure, in France as elsewhere in Europe. Large lakes, rivers, dams and gravel pits already offer many opportunities known to carp anglers, but it is certain that many treasures still remain to be discovered .

For that is the magic of the public domain: knowing that around a forgotten gravel pit, in a bend of the Rhône, or in the heart of the Danube delta, the fish of a lifetime might be swimming … ready to reward the efforts of the most passionate.*

Carp Collect'Or tip : Always prepare your sessions carefully: reconnaissance, understanding of the bottom, weather and discretion are the keys to hoping to encounter these giants of the public domain.

If you were lucky enough to catch a carp weighing over 30 kilos, please feel free to send it to us by email ( magazinecarpcollector@gmail.com ) so that we can include it in this article.