Advice sought for a greenhorn buying a lake in France

[Tree cutter]

Hello all, thanks for letting me join, hoping for some advice about a proposed business here in France.

So, I’m 55 and a tree surgeon, I worked on a carp fishery in Sussex back in the nineties and enjoyed the business.

I moved to France early this century and continued my business here.

I have worked for a few expats who run fishing lakes out here and have often thought it might be a good way to diversify and give myself a bit of respite from the physical effort, especially in the summer months when it can be too hot here.

My employee is a keen fisherman but I know little apart from what I garnered from my time as a bailiff on the lake in the UK.

The lake I’m looking at is 8000 square meters with a good dam, very picturesque with a good cabin 60m2, ideal for drive and survive.

What I’m asking you guys is:

Is the French carp fishing scene still buoyant?

Is 8000m2 too small? I had envisaged 4/5/6 swims to be viable.

Is my rather sketchy experience in the fishing world a fatal flaw or overcomeable (not a real word)

Any other comments or warnings?

I do spend a decent amount of time on other forums for work and machinery, so I know the score, don’t mollycoddle me, I’m not easily upset.

 

Thanks in advance.

Tree cutter.

 

[muftyboy]

Personally I'd say that a lake that size is only suitable for 2 to 3 anglers max.

The French carp scene has so many lakes available that I don't think you'd get 4 to 6 people paying to share 2 acres of water.

I might be wrong but just going by my own preferences mate.

Cheers 

[Tree cutter]

I hear you, on that lake in Sussex of a similar size where I worked there would be 30 + rods cheek by jowl all summer.

 

Different expectations on a foreign trip compared to a day ticket I guess.

[muftyboy]

Yes definitely mate.

People pay a lot of money when you add everything up for a trip.

But I bet there's a lot of people that want to go to France but can't get the numbers to book a bigger lake so don't bother.

 

[Tree cutter]

So if I’m right you’re saying there is a niche for a smaller lake?

Most of the lakes where I cleared trees out here were dealing mostly in block bookings for a group of anglers.

From what I see €300 a week per person seems the going rate, would that be about right?

[muftyboy]

I reckon there would always be people who are interested in fishing smaller lakes as long as it held the fish.

I've just came back from France yesterday.

We booked a six acre lake for 5 of us.

Worked out £240 each.

They have a fully fitted kitchen and shower and toilet facilities. 

 

[smufter]

Personally, I prefer fishing a smaller lake. But I think 4 to fish is the "magic" number. Less than that, and you are severely limiting your target audience. 

As long as it has some features, is not choked with weed, and has a reasonable head of "decent" carp to make a trip worthwhile, it's worth a bash.

And by "decent" I don't mean they have to be 50+ but nobody is going to travel to France to pull of low doubles or twenties.

😉

[Tree cutter]

Yeah, appreciate the responses.

Not sure if this is adding up in reality.

[davew]

Whatever size lake you might consider taking on, be prepared for the worst scenario i.e. a complete fishkill which can happen when you stock a lake or add carp to an existing stock, I know!!! Good luck whatever you decide. I operated a 19 acre lake for 11 years and after the initial disaster turned it into 1 of France´s premier venues, virtually full every week 2 years in advance with no advertising having been done for over 10 years!