A Tennessee fishing license can cost as little as $4 for an eligible resident senior, while a nonresident annual all-species license costs $98 before applicable processing fees. The right option depends on your age, residency, trip length, target species, and fishing location. The fees and rules below were rechecked against current Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency information on August 10, 2026, including the 2026–27 fishing regulations that took effect August 1, 2026.
Quick Answer
A Tennessee resident age 16–64 pays $33 for the standard annual Combination Hunt/Fish license. Nonresidents pay $49 annually without trout or $98 with trout. Residents ages 13–15 pay $9 for the junior annual license, while eligible residents age 65 or older can choose a $4 annual senior license or a $49 permanent senior license.
Key Takeaways
- Most Tennessee anglers age 13 or older need an appropriate fishing license unless a specific exemption applies.
- The standard resident annual Combination Hunt/Fish license costs $33 and most annual licenses are valid for 365 days from purchase.
- Nonresident annual fishing licenses cost $49 without trout or $98 with trout.
- Trout, Gatlinburg waters, Tellico-Citico waters, TWRA State Lakes, and some other locations can require a different license or added permit.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park has its own fishing rules, and the National Park Service states that no trout stamp is required inside the park.
- A no-cost Tennessee National Guard Sportsman license became available under state law effective July 1, 2026 for qualifying active Tennessee National Guard members in good standing.
- Processing fees may be added to the listed base license price.
Note: Tennessee can change license fees, seasons, permit requirements, and fishing regulations. Confirm current prices on the official TWRA license page and check the current Tennessee fishing regulations before fishing.
Who Needs a Tennessee Fishing License
In general, you need an appropriate fishing license before taking, attempting to take, or helping another person take fish in Tennessee if you are age 13 or older.
Children age 12 and younger may fish without a Tennessee fishing license. Anglers ages 13–15 normally need a junior license, while anglers age 16 or older need the appropriate adult resident or nonresident license. Certain location-specific permits can have different age rules.
Common Tennessee Fishing License Exemptions
TWRA lists several limited exemptions. These include:
- Residents and nonresidents age 12 and younger.
- Qualifying Tennessee farmland owners and certain family members fishing on their own farmland.
- Qualifying agricultural tenants and their dependent family members fishing on the farmland where they live.
- Military personnel fishing while on authorized leave when carrying their leave orders.
- Tennessee residents born before March 1, 1926, when carrying proof of age and residency.
- People fishing during an applicable TWRA Free Fishing Day or youth Free Fishing Week.
For 2026, Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day was June 6. TWRA also listed Free Fishing Week for children age 15 and younger from June 6 through June 12, 2026. Future free-fishing dates can change, so check the current TWRA schedule.
Farmland, family, tenant, military, and age exemptions have specific conditions. Carry any documentation needed to prove that you qualify.
Private Ponds and Catch-Out Operations
Fishing on privately owned land does not automatically eliminate Tennessee licensing requirements. A qualifying farmland owner, tenant, or family member may fall within the farmland exemption, but ordinary private-property permission by itself is not a fishing-license exemption.
Tennessee law also recognizes licensed catch-out operations, where legal fish are placed in a pond, tank, or other constructed container for customers to catch and purchase. State law allows people using a qualifying catch-out operation to catch those offered fish with legal fishing methods without a fishing license.
Warning: Do not assume that a pond is license-free merely because it is privately owned. You still need the owner’s permission and must either hold the required license or qualify for a specific exemption.
Who Qualifies for a Resident License?
A resident license is generally available to someone with a valid Tennessee driver’s license or Tennessee state identification. A nondriver who has lived in Tennessee for at least 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent to make Tennessee a permanent home may use qualifying residency documents.
TWRA also allows certain active-duty military personnel stationed in Tennessee, qualifying students enrolled in Tennessee for at least six months, and approved nonresidents born in Tennessee to purchase designated resident-rate or Native Tennessean licenses.
Tennessee Fishing License Costs at a Glance
| License | Who It Covers | Cost | Trout Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap | Ages 13–15 | $9 | Yes; no state supplemental license is required |
| Resident One-Day Fishing, No Trout | Ages 13–64 | $6 | No |
| Resident One-Day Fishing, All Species | Ages 16–64 | $11 | Yes |
| Resident Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | Ages 16–64 | $33 | No; add the $21 trout supplement |
| Resident Annual Sportsman | Ages 16–64 | $165 | Yes; broad state supplemental privileges included |
| Resident Annual Senior Citizen | Age 65 or older | $4 | State supplemental licenses are included |
| Tennessee National Guard Sportsman | Qualifying active Tennessee National Guard members in good standing | No-cost under the 2026 law | Sportsman-level state privileges |
| Nonresident Annual, No Trout | Age 16 or older | $49 | No |
| Nonresident Annual, All Species | Age 16 or older | $98 | Yes |
Most Tennessee annual licenses remain valid for 365 days from the date of purchase rather than expiring at the end of February.
Products Worth Considering
TENNESSEE STATE FLAG DESIGN: Features a textured, raised Tennessee flag design for an authentic, high-end look and feel.
Features University of Tennessee Volunteers-inspired design, designed as a novelty decorative display piece
Resident Fishing License Prices
The standard annual option for most Tennessee residents ages 16–64 is the Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license, which costs $33. It permits sport fishing and small-game hunting, but trout fishing normally requires the separate $21 Annual Trout Supplemental license.
- Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap, ages 13–15: $9.
- One-Day Fishing, No Trout, ages 13–64: $6.
- One-Day Fishing, All Species, ages 16–64: $11.
- Combination Hunt/Fish Annual, ages 16–64: $33.
- Annual Sportsman, ages 16–64: $165.
- Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap, age 65 or older: $4.
- Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap, age 65 or older: $49.
- Senior Sportsman, age 65 or older: $49.
The junior and senior licenses include state supplemental privileges that would otherwise require separate purchases. Annual Sportsman provides broader hunting, trapping, fishing, supplemental, and non-quota privileges. Federal permits and certain specifically excluded privileges can still require separate purchases.
Products Worth Considering
Four universal mounting slots
Comes with pre-drilled holes for easy installation
County of Residence Fishing License
A Tennessee resident age 13 or older may buy a County of Residence Fishing license for $10. This lower-cost license is primarily restricted to the holder’s home county and permits fishing with qualifying natural or cut bait.
It does not permit minnows or artificial lures, and another appropriate license is required to fish for trout, on a state lake, or on a state-owned or operated wildlife management area. A resident normally needs another appropriate license to fish outside the county of legal residence.
Tennessee law includes one useful exception: if the holder lives in a city that lies in two or more counties, the County of Residence license can cover waters within that city, including the part of the city located outside the holder’s home county.
Pro Tip: The $10 county license is economical only when its bait and location restrictions match the way you actually fish. The $33 annual Combination Hunt/Fish license is usually more flexible for anglers who travel between counties or use artificial lures.
Nonresident Fishing License Rates
Nonresident anglers age 16 or older can select a short-term or annual license based on trip length and whether they plan to fish for trout.
| Nonresident License | Cost | Species Access |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Junior Hunt/Fish Combination | $10 | Fishing and small game for ages 13–15 |
| Three-Day Fishing, No Trout | $20 | Fishing other than trout |
| Three-Day Fishing, All Species | $40 | Includes trout |
| Ten-Day Fishing, No Trout | $30 | Fishing other than trout |
| Ten-Day Fishing, All Species | $61 | Includes trout |
| Annual Fishing, No Trout | $49 | Fishing other than trout |
| Annual Fishing, All Species | $98 | Includes trout |
Nonresident Annual Options
The $49 annual license is the lower-cost choice for a nonresident who will not target trout. The $98 annual all-species license includes trout and avoids the need to choose another nonresident trout-inclusive option later.
Nonresidents born in Tennessee may qualify to apply for a Native Tennessean license at resident rates. First-time applicants must complete the required TWRA application.
Trout vs. No-Trout Licenses
Choose a trout-inclusive license when you intend to take or attempt to take trout unless the water is covered by a separate rule that specifically removes that requirement. A no-trout license does not normally become valid for trout merely because you are fishing in water that also contains other species.
For nonresidents, the annual choices are $49 without trout and $98 with trout. TWRA does not currently list a separate $99 annual nonresident trout add-on.
Lifetime and Senior License Options
Tennessee residents age 65 or older have several different choices. The names are similar, so compare the coverage carefully.
- Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap: $4.
- Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap: $49.
- Senior Sportsman: $49 and includes broad hunting, trapping, fishing, state supplemental, and non-quota privileges.
- Lifetime Sportsman for age 65 or older: $329.
The Permanent Senior Citizen license and Senior Sportsman license have the same listed base price but are not the same product. The Sportsman license provides broader privileges, while the permanent senior license is a one-time senior credential with the coverage specified by TWRA.
Lifetime Sportsman License Prices
| Applicant Age | Lifetime Sportsman Cost |
|---|---|
| Under age 3 | $320 |
| Ages 3–6 | $659 |
| Ages 7–12 | $988 |
| Ages 13–50 | $1,976 |
| Ages 51–64 | $1,153 |
| Age 65 or older | $329 |
| Qualifying adopted child under age 13 | $320 |
A Lifetime Sportsman license remains valid for the holder’s life, including after the holder moves out of Tennessee. It is nontransferable and nonrefundable. Applicants must meet the current residency and application requirements, and the license cannot currently be completed as a normal instant online purchase.
Supplemental Permits and Their Costs
A supplemental license adds a privilege that is not included in the base license. For fishing, the two most relevant statewide supplements are the resident trout supplement and the South Holston Reservoir supplement.
Fishing Supplements
- Annual Trout Supplemental: $21. It must accompany an eligible resident base license and allows the holder to fish for trout.
- South Holston Reservoir Supplemental: $20 for anglers age 13 or older. It allows a licensed Tennessee resident to fish the Virginia portion of South Holston Reservoir.
The South Holston option is effectively a Virginia fishing privilege sold through TWRA. TWRA states that it is required even for Sportsman license holders when fishing the Virginia portion.
Hunting-Only Waterfowl and Migratory Permits
The following fees apply to hunting, not ordinary sport fishing:
- Supplemental Waterfowl License: $37.
- Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit: $1 for most required purchasers and no fee for eligible Sportsman license holders.
- Federal Duck Stamp purchased through Tennessee’s licensing system: TWRA currently lists $30.50.
These permits do not increase fishing privileges and should not be included when calculating the cost of a fishing-only trip.
Hunting-Only Big Game Supplemental Fees
Tennessee’s Big Game Gun, Big Game Archery, and Big Game Muzzleloader supplements each cost $33. They apply to hunting and are not required for fishing.
A person who fishes and hunts should calculate these separately from the base Combination Hunt/Fish license. Annual and Lifetime Sportsman license holders generally receive state supplemental hunting privileges, subject to listed exceptions.
Special Permits for Trout and Specific Waters
Certain managed waters require an additional permit even when you already hold a general fishing license. Other locations offer a standalone license that replaces the normal base-license combination for a limited period.
| Permit or License | Cost | Important Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Tellico-Citico Trout One-Day Permit | $6 | Required seasonally on designated Tellico and Citico waters and year-round on Green Cove Pond |
| TWRA State Lake Daily Permit | $6 | Added to an applicable base license unless exempt |
| TWRA State Lake Annual Permit | $48 | Annual access for applicable TWRA State Lakes |
| Bedford Lake One-Day Permit | $6 | Required for applicable Bedford Lake fishing |
| One-Day Gatlinburg Trout License | $11 | Standalone one-day license; no separate base license is needed for that day |
| One-Day Gatlinburg Trout Permit | $3 | Must accompany an appropriate base fishing license |
| Three-Day Gatlinburg Trout Permit | $9 | Must accompany an appropriate base fishing license |
| Lake Halford One-Day Permit | $6 | Required for applicable recreational use, subject to age exemptions |
| Lake Halford Annual Permit | $48 | Annual location-specific permit, subject to age exemptions |
Holders of qualifying Lifetime, Annual Sportsman, or Senior Sportsman licenses are exempt from several state special-fishing permits. Resident anglers age 65 or older generally do not need a lake permit but still need an appropriate fishing license. Anglers under 16 generally do not need a lake permit, although anglers ages 13–15 still need the junior fishing license.
TWRA’s special-permit page lists the Tellico-Citico permit separately as being required for all ages. Because that language is stricter than the general lake-permit age exemptions, anglers using Tellico, Citico, or Green Cove Pond should follow the current location-specific TWRA requirements.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has special federal fishing rules. The National Park Service states that anglers who need a license may use a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license or permit under the park’s rules, and no trout stamp is required inside the national park.
Tennessee’s normal state-license rules still matter when choosing a Tennessee license, including the junior-license requirement for Tennessee anglers ages 13–15. Fishing licenses are not sold inside the park. Gatlinburg and Cherokee have separate permit requirements, and fishing outside the park is subject to the applicable state regulations.
The park also restricts fishing methods. Its current rules allow one hand-held rod and artificial flies or lures with a single hook; natural bait and liquid scents are prohibited along park streams while possessing fishing tackle.
Warning: A trout-inclusive Tennessee license does not automatically include every location-specific permit. Check the exact stream, lake, reservoir section, municipal water, or federal-area rules before fishing.
Reduced-Fee and Disability License Programs
TWRA offers several application-based licenses for qualifying Tennessee residents with disabilities. These licenses require the appropriate medical, Social Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, or other qualifying certification.
- Resident Hunting and Fishing Disabled Under 18: $5, renewable annually.
- Sport Fishing Certified Blind: $10.
- Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing Resident: $10.
- Resident Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing: $10.
- Resident Permanent SSI Intellectually Disabled Fishing: $10.
- Hunt and Fish Intellectually Disabled Resident: $10.
The certified-blind and intellectual-disability fishing options include the base fishing and trout supplemental privileges described by TWRA. The wheelchair and disabled-veteran licenses include specified base and supplemental privileges, but WMA, federal, and special permits may still be required.
Most permanent disability licenses involve a one-time application and fee. The under-18 disability license is different because it is renewed annually at the current fee.
Products Worth Considering
Great Gift Item: Guaranteed to be your most beloved possession as it boasts eye catching graphics and is inscribed with your favorite squad’s name and colors. Proudly display your favorite teams name and color
PACKAGE CONTENTS: Set of 2 aluminum license plate frames designed for standard US vehicle license plates
Tennessee Volunteers Fans! A Fan Favorite 12" x 6" Car/Truck Frame - This auto accessory is perfect for the casual and everyday fan. The antique pewter finish gives it an old-fashioned feel. Whether it is game day at the stadium or a home game with friends, this license plate frame will be the highlight of the drive.
Tennessee National Guard Sportsman License
The Hunting for Heroes Act, effective July 1, 2026, created a Tennessee National Guard Sportsman license. A qualifying active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee National Guard who is in good standing can qualify for a no-cost Sportsman license under the statute.
This is different from the separate exemption for military personnel fishing while on authorized leave with qualifying leave orders. The National Guard Sportsman license provides Sportsman-level privileges, while the authorized-leave rule is a specific license exemption.
Note: Specialty disability and Lifetime Sportsman licenses may require an application rather than an ordinary online checkout. Review the documentation requirements before submitting sensitive personal information.
Where and How to Purchase a License
The fastest purchasing method is usually the authorized Go Outdoors Tennessee website. You can create or access your customer profile, select a license, review its effective dates, pay, and store the active license in your account.
Licenses are also available through:
- The TWRA On the Go mobile application.
- Authorized TWRA license agents.
- TWRA regional offices.
- Participating county clerks.
- Many sporting-goods stores, hardware stores, bait shops, and boat docks.
A Social Security number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license. You may also need identification, proof of age, residency documents, military documentation, student identification, or disability certification depending on the license or exemption.
Processing fees apply to license purchases, so the final checkout total can be higher than the base price listed in the fee schedule.
How to Select the Correct License
- Confirm whether you qualify as a Tennessee resident.
- Choose the correct age category.
- Decide whether you will fish for trout.
- Estimate whether a one-day, three-day, ten-day, annual, permanent, or lifetime option offers the best value.
- Check whether the exact lake, stream, reservoir section, municipal water, national park area, or other destination has a special permit or separate rule.
- Review the effective and expiration dates before completing payment.
Pro Tip: Save the license in the TWRA On the Go application before traveling to an area with weak cellular service. TWRA states that the app can store licenses for you and other people in your account.
License Management, Reprints, and Renewals
Most annual Tennessee licenses are valid for 365 days from their purchase date. Review the effective and expiration dates displayed during checkout because certain permits have fixed dates instead.
You can log in to your Go Outdoors Tennessee account to view and reprint active licenses. You may also obtain replacement assistance through an authorized license agent.
- Review all active licenses and permits in your account.
- Reprint an active license when needed.
- Store licenses for yourself and others in the TWRA On the Go application.
- Verify your mailing address and customer information.
- Check whether the current license is within the renewal window.
TWRA generally allows renewal when an existing license is within 10 days of expiration. Purchasing too early may result in a second license with overlapping or unintended effective dates, so inspect the dates in your cart.
A posted replacement charge for a Hunter Education Card is not the same as a fishing-license reprint fee. TWRA states that active licenses can be reprinted through the account, so do not assume that a hunter-education replacement price applies to an ordinary fishing-license reprint.
What to Check Before You Fish
A valid license is only one part of legal fishing. Before leaving, check the current Tennessee fishing regulations for the water and species you plan to target. Tennessee’s 2026–27 fishing rules became effective August 1, 2026.
- Carry or store your current license and required permits.
- Confirm statewide and location-specific seasons.
- Review daily creel limits, possession limits, and length limits.
- Check whether the water has catch-and-release-only rules.
- Confirm legal bait, lure, hook, and fishing-method restrictions.
- Obtain landowner permission before entering private property.
- Do not release live fish, crayfish, or salamanders into Tennessee waters away from the water where they were harvested.
Some Tennessee waters have special regulations that differ from the general statewide rules. For 2026–27, TWRA lists changes affecting locations including Piney River, Big Soddy Creek, Catoosa WMA, Travis McNatt Lake, and Woodhaven Lake. A valid license does not override those location-specific restrictions.
Sources
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — License Structure and Fees — current license prices, exemptions, expiration rules, lifetime licenses, disability licenses, Sportsman licenses, and special permits.
- Go Outdoors Tennessee — authorized online license purchasing and account management.
- Tennessee Fishing Guide and Regulations — current 2026–27 statewide and water-specific fishing rules.
- TWRA On the Go Application — mobile license storage, purchases, regulations, and fishing-location tools.
- TWRA Trout Fishing and Stocking Information — current trout resources and stocking information.
- Tennessee Code §70-2-101 — license possession, transfer, violations, and possible privilege suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Tennessee fishing license to another person?
No. Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses are issued to an individual and are not transferable. Each angler who needs a license must obtain one in that person’s own name.
Do children need a Tennessee fishing license?
Children age 12 and younger may fish without a Tennessee fishing license. Resident anglers ages 13–15 normally need the $9 Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap license, while the nonresident junior license costs $10. Certain special waters can have additional permit rules.
Does the $33 resident annual license include trout?
No. A resident using the $33 Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license normally needs the $21 Annual Trout Supplemental license to fish for trout. Junior, senior, Sportsman, lifetime, and qualifying disability licenses may include state supplemental privileges.
Do I need a trout stamp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
No. The National Park Service states that no trout stamp is required inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anglers who need a license must still meet the applicable licensing rules, and Gatlinburg or Cherokee waters can have separate permit requirements.
Do military members receive a fishing-license discount?
There is no single blanket discount covering every military situation. Active-duty military personnel stationed in Tennessee may qualify for resident licenses, military personnel on authorized leave may qualify for an exemption when carrying leave orders, and a separate no-cost Tennessee National Guard Sportsman license was created for qualifying Guard members effective July 1, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Tennessee National Guard Sportsman license?
The 2026 Hunting for Heroes Act provides a no-cost Tennessee National Guard Sportsman license for a qualifying active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee National Guard who is in good standing and satisfies the law’s documentation requirements.
Can I show my Tennessee fishing license on my phone?
Yes. The TWRA On the Go application can store licenses for you and other people in your account. Saving the license before traveling is helpful when cellular service is limited.
Does a Tennessee fishing license cover saltwater fishing in another state?
No. A Tennessee license provides only the privileges described by Tennessee law and applicable reciprocal arrangements. Saltwater fishing in another state normally requires that state’s saltwater license, registration, or exemption.
What happens if I fish without a required license?
Fishing without the required license can be a Class C misdemeanor under Tennessee law. A court may also suspend or revoke fishing privileges following a wildlife-law conviction. The exact outcome depends on the offense and current law.
Is catch-and-release mandatory anywhere in Tennessee?
Yes. Catch-and-release can be mandatory for designated species or waters. Tennessee’s 2026–27 regulations, for example, list catch-and-release-only black bass rules at Travis McNatt Lake and Woodhaven Lake. Always check the current fishing guide for the water you plan to fish.
Conclusion
The correct Tennessee fishing license depends on your age, residency, trip length, target species, and destination. Most residents ages 16–64 pay $33 for an annual Combination Hunt/Fish license, while nonresidents pay $49 annually without trout or $98 with trout. Junior, senior, Sportsman, lifetime, disability, military, short-term, and location-specific options can lower or increase the final cost.
Before paying, confirm whether you need a trout supplement or special-water permit, review the displayed effective dates, and include any processing fee in your total. Carry the license electronically or on paper, and use the current 2026–27 TWRA regulations plus any applicable federal or municipal rules for the exact water you plan to fish.
