The Vosges are a fisherman’s Eden: trout rivers, glacial lakes with fierce shade, fast waters and standing water for contemplative fishing.
Species present
- Brown trout (rivers)
- Rainbow trout (lake stockings)
- Grayling (classified rivers)
- Pike, perch, pike-perch (certain lakes)
- Whitefish (30 cm minimum capture size)
The rivers
- Moselotte: trout and grayling, sectors at La Bresse and Vagney
- Vologne: classified river, renowned fly fishing
- Cleurie and secondary tributaries
The lakes
- Lac des Corbeaux: trout; from 11 July to 23 August 2026 the lake road is closed to cars from 12.30 to 17.00, with a free Esti’Lac shuttle
- Lac de Blanchemer: trout, minimum capture size raised to 23 cm
- Lake of Longemer and Retournemer: trout, variety
- Lake of Gérardmer: predators, perch
Regulations
- Compulsory permit from local AAPPMA or inter-federal card
- Trout season: in first-category waters, from the 2nd Saturday of March to the 3rd Sunday of September; some lakes and stretches have their own dates, to be checked with the Vosges fishing federation
- Legal size for trout: 20 cm on most Vosges rivers, 23 cm at Blanchemer and Lispach lakes, 30 cm at Longemer and Gérardmer lakes
- Quota: 6 salmonids per day per angler, including at most 2 grayling
- No-kill fishing on certain routes, check locally
Fish responsibly
Respect the banks, do not disturb wildlife, take your rubbish home. The department is under crisis-level drought restrictions until 30 September 2026, and a prefectural order bans fishing on the Belvitte in six communes of the northern Vosges after a pollution incident: check the orders in force before setting out. Fly fishing highly developed, strong local tradition.
To combine
Morning fishing, lunch at a lakeside inn, afternoon hike around Lac de Longemer or Lac de Pierre-Percée. A perfect pace for passionate anglers on holiday.
The fishing spots around La Bresse are reachable within a few minutes of the village centre.
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Frequently asked questions
Where to buy a fishing permit in La Bresse?
Online at cartedepeche.fr or from approved outlets in La Bresse and Gérardmer. Daily, weekly or annual permit: current prices are listed on cartedepeche.fr.
When does the trout season open?
In first-category waters, from the second Saturday of March to the third Sunday of September. Some lakes and stretches follow their own dates: check with the Vosges fishing federation.
What species are present?
Brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling, pike, perch, pike-perch and whitefish, depending on the water.
Is no-kill mandatory?
Only on certain signposted sections. Elsewhere, the quota is 6 salmonids per day and per angler, including at most 2 grayling, with a minimum trout size of 20 to 30 cm depending on the water.