The Eguzon dam lakes are located on the borders of Berry, on the boundary between the Indre and Creuse départements. It is close to the Eguzon dam lakes, in the commune of Baraize, that Pecheado has based its fishing courses for teenagers. The region is rich in fishing possibilities (Brenne ponds, rivers, communal ponds, private ponds…). However, we train 80% of our young trainees on the Eguzon dam lakes.
The Eguzon dam lakes are made up of 3 fishing areas, in decreasing size. Each lake is separated by a hydroelectric dam. Upstream is the first lake:
Eguzon dam lake, or Chambon lake
Built in the 1920s, the Eguzon dam lake is the largest body of water in the region. This hydroelectric structure, built on the river Creuse, extends over 320 ha and about 18 km. This dam lake is managed by the Indre departmental federation and by the Creuse departmental federation.
The regulations there are fairly strict: the right to fish with lures only begins on 1 June. With an average depth of 12 to 20 metres, we mainly hunt zander, perch and black bass during our predator sessions. Nevertheless, it is quite common to hook a catfish. Thrills guaranteed! Especially as we fish with light tackle (Daiwa Ninja 2500LT reel and Daiwa Megaforce Bass rod).
). The lake has very few drowned trees, stumps or weed beds. For the most part it is covered with stones and rock. However, a few wooded areas exist where very nice fishing is often had. As a result, to avoid losing too many lures, we rig our soft lures on weighted Texas-type hooks.
For predator fishing we fish from boats and float tubes. The boats are launched from the ramp of the sailing centre near Chambon beach. Upstream, a second launch point is available at Crozant (23 – Creuse) when we want to explore that part of the lake.
The Chambon and Fougères beaches
In addition, there is 1 large beach on each shore of the dam lake. The Fougères beach, on the right bank of the lake, is very good for worm fishing during the period when lure fishing is closed. By exploring the jetties we catch many perch, zander and other black bass. Even so, the jetties on the Chambon side also offer good prospects.
La Roche aux Moines dam lake
Next we find La Roche aux Moines lake, which is our favourite playground. Indeed, it is on this body of water that we train most of the participants in our fishing camps and courses. Located 5 minutes from the accommodation, it lets us start fishing quickly. La Roche aux Moines lake extends over about 5 km, with a surface area of about 60 ha.
Its average depth varies between 4 and 8 metres. The lake is very cluttered with drowned trees, stumps and branches. We fish exclusively with soft lures on weighted Texas hooks, and do a lot of “skipping”. It is difficult to reach from the banks, so fishing is done either from a boat or a float tube.
A body of water that is hard to reach
In addition, the launch points accessible on the lake are very basic. The lake is also subject to untimely water-level fluctuations because of its geographical position. Indeed, located between Chambon lake and La Roche bat l'Aigue dam lake, it acts as a “buffer zone” between these bodies of water.
For this reason, we are equipped with 3 inflatable boats, which let us launch easily from the ramp at the locality called Cromay. A second launch ramp is also accessible further downstream, at the locality called “les Cerisiers”.
During our predator fishing sessions, whether by boat or float tube, we mainly hunt zander and perch on this lake. However, catfish are also well established there. For this reason, it is on this dam lake that we run our catfish fishing sessions with buoys and on the drop-offs. This catfish fishing is preceded by quiver-tip fishing to catch bream and other big roach, which will serve as live baits. Needless to say, we stay fishing on the lake banks until the legal time in the evening.
La Roche bat l'Aigue dam lake
La Roche bat l'Aigue dam lake is the last of the 3 Eguzon lakes. With a surface area of 30 ha, it rises in the commune of Gargilesse. This body of water is above all reserved for carp anglers.
Indeed, it is open to night fishing over its whole surface. As a result, a great many carp anglers take up positions there, making lure fishing very complicated at times. In addition, no launch point is available. Needless to say, only float tube fishing is possible there. We fish it from time to time during periods when the presence of carp anglers is less intense. Shallower than the first 2 dam lakes, it offers banks rich in drowned trees, and a few sheer cliffs further downstream.
The few launch points available are at the locality called “Boucle du Pin” and at the Gargilesse bridge. Launching large craft there is almost impossible. Favour Zodiac-type boats. Better still, the float tube. Get into the water a few hundred metres upstream of the black bridge and let yourself drift down to the Boucle du Pin. A population of predators, notably zander, perch and a few black bass, is present there. But beware of the carp anglers' lines…!!! Problems regularly arise