Ile d’Oléron:
paradise for shore fishing
The Ile d’Oléron is a paradise for shellfish lovers! Cradled by the rhythm of the tides, La Lumineuse is a prime destination for shellfish anglers.
Oléron not only boasts fine sandy beaches ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports, but also numerous spots renowned for their wealth of wild oysters, clams, periwinkles, cockles, barnacles, razor clams, crabs, spiders, sea urchins… When practiced sensibly and in compliance with the law, fishing on foot is a leisure pursuit, a pleasure, a hunt for extra fresh and tasty produce.
Our selection of fishing spots
Here are a few easy-to-reach spots to indulge in the pleasures of shore fishing during your camping holiday on the Ile d’Oléron:
- La Passe Saint-Séverin, on the road from La Perroche towards La Cotinière, about a hundred metres from the campsite.
- Passe de l’Ecuissière at Dolus-d’Oléron, about 1 km south of La Rémigeasse, along the coastal road
- Boyardville beach
- Les Huttes beach in Saint-Denis-d’Oléron
- Gatseau beach and seafront at Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
- Chaucre beach (Pointe de Chaucre, Les Trois-Pierres) in Saint-Georges-d’Oléron,
- Sables-Vignier beach in Saint-Georges-d’Oléron,
- Malaiguille beach in La Brée-les-Bains,
- The seafront on either side of the Oléron bridge
In the Marennes-Oléron basin, we recommend the Bourcefranc beach, as well as the Cèpe and Galon d’Or beaches, located on the Arvert peninsula, opposite the island at the Maumusson perthuis.
Miraculous fishing on the coast of Oléronnais
On the foreshore or on rocky plateaus uncovered at low tide, you can collect cockles, clams, mussels, prairie shells, scallops, periwinkles, oysters, razor clams, barnacles (or Chinese hats), as well as lesser-known shellfish such as flions and tellines, which are more common on the Vendée coast.
In the crustacean family, we hunt shrimps and all kinds of crabs: crabs, spiders, crab cakes… As forequipment, you don’t need anything too sophisticated: a basket, a sack or a bucket, a knife and a small gardening rake will do the trick.
Take shoes that hold your feet well to avoid slips and falls. Boots or non-slip shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are ideal. Forget sandals, flip-flops or other footwear!
Advice: find out about tide times and prefer tidal coefficients between 70 and 95. We recommend arriving between 1 h 30 and 2 h before low tide.
Our tips for fishing on foot
3 golden rules :
- Systematically replace any stones and algae that have been turned over, and fill in any holes to preserve the ecosystem and the living environment of the species.
- Always go fishing with a shell-measuring ruler. It’s forbidden to collect shellfish smaller than the legal size. This rule allows animals to reach adult size and reproduce.
- Respect the quantities laid down by law, and don’t catch more shellfish than you think you’ll eat!
Fishing rules and areas to be respected
We’re talking here about recreational sea angling, i.e. fishing :
- Carried out on foot without the use of a boat, floating device, motorized land vehicle or a device that allows you to remain submerged (diving equipment).
- Whose harvest is intended for consumption by the fisherman or his family or used for bait.
- Practised on the public maritime domain as well as on the part of rivers or canals with saline waters.
It is strictly forbidden to fish in the Moëze-Oléron nature reserve, between the Boyardville channel and the Château d’Oléron channel.
It is also forbidden to venture into the Chassiron and Ades fish locks and scientific concessions, on pain of prosecution.
It is also forbidden to fish within 25 meters of oyster beds, mussel beds and fish locks. Please note that certain areas may be temporarily closed to fishing for health reasons.
Be sure to look out for a prefectoral decree posted at the entrance to the beach, or consult the website of the I.O.D.D.E association, which is very active in the Marennes-Oléron basin.
Recreational shellfishing is authorized all year round during daylight hours, i.e. between the legal hours of sunrise and sunset.
The rhythm of the tides: safe fishing on foot
Tide times and coefficients are of the utmost importance to anglers, not only for successful fishing, but also for the best possible preparation of their maritime escapades.
Indeed, the dangers of tidal movement can quickly ensnare amateurs and insiders alike.
It is very important to :
- Take your cell phone with you to alert emergency services in the event of an incident.
- Regularly monitor water levels and reach the shore at high tide.
- Don’t lose sight of the other anglers. If they return to the beach, do the same – it’s a very good indicator.
