In South Brittany, fishing follows the rhythm of the tides. Picking the right window — species, season, coefficient — makes the difference between a blank session and a memorable one. Here's an indicative calendar to plan your trips on the Ria d'Étel and the surrounding ocean — always cross-check with the weather and the current Morbihan prefectoral orders.
Understanding tide coefficients
A tide coefficient measures the difference between low water and high water. The higher it is, the lower the sea drops — and the faster it rises again. Spring tides (coefficient above 90, ideally 100+) are the best conditions for shore fishing: you can access foreshore that's normally underwater. For shore casting and boat fishing, mid-range coefficients (70 to 90) are often the most productive: currents aren't violent, but the water flows enough to stimulate the food chain.
Month-by-month calendar
March-April: bass return on the passes after winter, first black bream. Equinox spring tides (around 20 March and 20 September): excellent coefficients for shore fishing (clams, razor clams).
May-June: bass actively hunting, mackerel pushing onto the coast. Cockles abundant on the foreshore.
July-August: gilthead bream in full season, mackerel in tight surface shoals. Warmer water, fishing concentrated at dawn and dusk. Shore fishing remains possible, but check water-quality orders on the ARS Bretagne site.
September: often considered the best month of the year. Bass are large and combative, mackerel still around, and the equinox tides bring exceptional coefficients. Fewer crowds on the spots.
October: bass still active on the passes for a few more weeks, productive surf-casting on swelly days.
Quick species summary by month
- Sea bass: March to November, peak in May-June and September
- Gilthead bream: July to September
- Mackerel: June to September, peak in July-August
- Pollack: April to November
- Cockles, clams, razor clams: spring tides year-round (subject to sanitary orders)
- Periwinkles, whelks: all season
Regulations: minimum sizes and quotas
Recreational sea fishing is free in France for personal consumption, but it's tightly regulated: per-species minimum sizes (for example 42 cm for bass in the Bay of Biscay, 23 cm for gilthead bream), daily catch quotas and authorised gear. The full breakdown is in our shore-fishing guide. Always check the current Morbihan prefectoral orders, which can temporarily suspend the gathering of certain shellfish.
Practical sites to plan your session
- maree.info — tide times and coefficients up to 7 days ahead
- horaires-marees.fr — handy mobile alternative
- ARS Bretagne — bathing-water quality and shore-fishing sanitary orders
- Météo France — South Brittany marine forecast
Preparing your session from the campsite
At Le Moulin des Oies Campsite, the dedicated fish-cleaning sink lets you clean your catch without crowding the showers, the hot-water laundry rinses oilskins and waders, and the Wi-Fi lets you check tides and weather in real time. Pitches close to the private beach let you head out at first light on foot, quietly. For shoulder season (April-June, September), the ACSI CampingCard is accepted.