Etang du Grand Foret

The Lake
Etang du Grand Foret is also known as Etang du Grand Orient. We chose the name Etang du Grand Foret to avoid confusion with the nearby Orient Lake, which is part of the Parc naturel régional de la Forêt d’Orient.
The lake is divided into 7 zones with 6 fishing spots and can only be fished by a maximum of 10 anglers at the same time. It is always rented out in its entirety, which means you have the whole lake to yourself. A gravel path runs around Etang du Grand Foret, making all swims easily accessible by car. Vehicles may be parked directly at the swim, which makes loading and unloading your fishing gear much easier. Trailers can also be conveniently parked nearby.
The depths vary from 0.5 to 4 meters. Two small islands in the lake add to the fishing opportunities. The bottom is mostly soft with some harder patches. We strongly recommend bringing chest waders or boots. Some banks have a gentle slope, which makes it easier to walk into the water while playing or landing fish. Etang du Grand Foret is considered an obstacle water, so experience in snag fishing is necessary. In the high season, weed growth can occur – a paradise for the carp, but a challenge for anglers. To fish the lake effectively, rowing boats and inflatable boats are allowed.

Arrival and Departure Times
Arrival: 14:00
Departure: 10:00

Facilities
At the entrance of Etang du Grand Foret there is a cozy clubhouse where you can relax in bad weather. It includes a simple kitchen, a large open fireplace, a shower and a toilet. The shower water is drawn from a well and filtered, but it is not drinking water unless it is boiled.
The clubhouse is equipped with solar panels so you can charge your batteries. If the sun is not strong enough, a generator is available. We recommend bringing a jerrycan of petrol (Euro 98). The first jerrycan is free.
Boats are allowed on the lake. We recommend bringing your own boat, as the boats on site are quite old. In the warmer months, weed can be more present and water levels may drop, so chest waders can be very useful.

The Fish
Etang du Grand Foret was originally a hunting ground and covers a total of 400 hectares. Since 2011, under new management, fishing has been possible here.
The lake holds an old, natural stock of fish, the exact size of which is unknown. Hunters in the past often reported seeing large shadows moving under the surface.
In addition to the original stock, 800 carp have been stocked, including many fish over 20 kg. The biggest carp reach around 30 kg, with numerous specimens over 25 kg. The average weight is 16–17 kg, making Etang du Grand Foret a highly attractive destination for carp anglers.