Tennessee fishing license costs depend on your age, how long you plan to fish, whether you target trout, and whether the water requires a special permit. The main resident annual license is the $33 Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license for ages 16–64. Fees and rules can change, so confirm the final cart and current regulations before fishing.
Quick Answer
Most Tennessee residents age 13 or older need a license to fish. Current base prices include $9 for ages 13–15, $6 for a one-day no-trout license, $11 for a one-day all-species license, and $33 for the annual resident combination license. Trout and certain waters may require extra permits.
Key Takeaways
- Residents under age 13 generally fish without a license; ages 13–15 use the $9 Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license.
- The standard resident annual license for ages 16–64 is $33 and is valid for 365 days from purchase.
- Trout usually requires the $21 Annual Trout Supplemental unless your license already includes trout privileges.
- The $10 County of Residence license allows only natural bait, excludes minnows and artificial lures, and does not include trout.
- Special waters such as Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA state lakes, Lake Halford, and Virginia’s part of South Holston Reservoir can require separate permits.
Resident Fees at a Glance
| 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 |
| County of Residence Fishing, No Trout | $10 |
| Annual Trout Supplemental | $21 |
| Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap, age 65+ | $4 |
| Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap, age 65+ | $49 |
| Annual Sportsman, ages 16–64 | $165 |
Who Needs a Tennessee Fishing License and Who’s Exempt
Residents and nonresidents under age 13 generally may fish in Tennessee without a license. Anglers ages 13–15 need a Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license, and anglers age 16 or older need an appropriate fishing license unless a specific exemption applies. Some location permits apply even when a base-license exemption exists.
The main exemptions are narrower than “fishing on private property.” Qualifying Tennessee-resident farmland owners, their spouses, certain children and children’s spouses, qualifying resident agricultural tenants, and certain family members may fish waters on that farmland without buying a sport-fishing license. Other people fishing a private pond generally need the owner’s permission and any license otherwise required.
Residents born before March 1, 1926, may fish without a license when carrying proof of age and Tennessee residency. Military personnel on leave may qualify for an exemption when they carry leave orders; a regular pass is not enough. Active-duty personnel stationed in Tennessee are not automatically license-exempt, but they and children under 16 who live with them may buy resident licenses regardless of their prior state residency.
Students enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months may also qualify to buy resident licenses with appropriate student identification. Other residents can normally prove eligibility with a Tennessee driver’s license or state ID, or by showing 90 consecutive days of Tennessee residency and two accepted documents.
Note: Private ownership alone does not create a blanket fishing-license exemption. The Tennessee exemption is tied to qualifying farmland ownership, family relationships, or an agricultural tenancy.
The safest rule is simple: unless you clearly meet a TWRA exemption, carry the correct license and every permit required for the water you plan to fish.
Annual Resident Fishing License Options and Prices
The TWRA license fee page lists the current resident options. Processing fees apply at checkout, so the final total may be slightly higher than the base prices below.
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License Types & Costs
| License | Who It Fits | Base Fee | Main Limits or Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap | Residents ages 13–15 | $9 | Includes sport fishing and does not require a state trout supplemental; location permits can still apply. |
| Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | Residents ages 16–64 | $33 | The standard annual base license for sport fishing; trout and some locations require extra permits. |
| County of Residence Fishing, No Trout | Residents age 13+ | $10 | Valid only in the license holder’s home county with natural bait such as worms, crickets, or corn; no minnows or artificial lures. |
| Annual Sportsman | Residents ages 16–64 | $165 | Includes hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without most state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits. |
Age-Based Pricing
Ages 13–15 use the $9 junior license. Residents ages 16–64 usually choose between a short-term license, the restricted $10 county license, or the $33 annual combination license. At age 65, residents may choose a $4 annual senior license, a $49 permanent senior license, or a $49 Senior Sportsman license.
Residents born before March 1, 1926, remain exempt when they can prove age and residency. Always buy based on your age on the purchase date and the privileges you need.
Add-On Supplements
The $21 Annual Trout Supplemental allows trout fishing when paired with the $33 annual combination license, the $10 county license, or the $6 one-day no-trout license. The $11 one-day all-species license already includes trout for the licensed day.
The Annual Sportsman and eligible senior licenses include state trout privileges, but no Tennessee license substitutes for the $20 South Holston Reservoir Supplemental when fishing the Virginia portion of that reservoir.
Warning: A trout supplemental does not replace a special-area permit. Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA state lakes, Lake Halford, Bedford Lake, and other managed waters may have separate permit rules.
One-Day and Short-Term Resident Licenses
Tennessee offers a $6 One-Day Fishing—No Trout license for residents ages 13–64. Residents ages 16–64 can instead buy the $11 One-Day Fishing—All Species license, which includes trout for that day.
For a resident age 13–15, the $9 annual junior license usually makes more sense than repeated one-day purchases. The junior license includes sport-fishing privileges and does not require the standard state trout supplemental, although special-location permits may still apply.
Most annual Tennessee licenses remain valid for 365 days from the purchase date rather than expiring at the end of a calendar year.
Pro Tip: Before processing fees, six $6 no-trout day licenses cost $36, so the $33 annual license is usually the better value by the sixth fishing day. For trout, five $11 all-species day licenses cost $55, slightly more than the $54 annual base-plus-trout combination.
Senior, Lifetime, and Disability Reduced-Fee Licenses
Tennessee offers several reduced-fee and long-term licenses, but the names matter. A “senior license” is not always $49, and there is no single disability license that fits every applicant.
- Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap: $4 after the 65th birthday. No state supplemental licenses are required, although separate permits can still apply.
- Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap: $49 after the 65th birthday. It is permanent, but it is not the same as a Lifetime Sportsman license.
- Senior Sportsman: $49 for residents age 65 or older and includes broad hunting, trapping, and sport-fishing privileges.
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Lifetime Sportsman License Fees
| Age at Purchase | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under age 3 | $320 |
| Ages 3–6 | $659 |
| Ages 7–12 | $988 |
| Ages 13–50 | $1,976 |
| Ages 51–64 | $1,153 |
| Age 65+ | $329 |
| Qualifying adopted child under 13 | $320 |
A Lifetime Sportsman license requires a separate application and proof of continuous Tennessee residency. It cannot currently be purchased through the standard online license center.
Disability and Disabled Veteran Licenses
TWRA lists several application-based options. The annual resident hunting and fishing license for a qualifying disabled resident under 18 is $5. Qualifying blind residents, residents permanently restricted to a wheelchair, eligible disabled veterans, and certain residents with intellectual disabilities may qualify for $10 licenses. Some are permanent; the under-18 license is renewed annually. Required certifications and included privileges differ by category.
Note: Use the official TWRA application for the exact disability category. A $10 restricted license is not automatically available to every person with a disability, and special-area or federal permits may still be required.
Supplemental Permits and When You Need Them
A supplemental fishing permit adds a privilege that the base license does not include. For anglers, the most common examples are the $21 Annual Trout Supplemental, the $20 South Holston Reservoir Supplemental for Virginia waters, and location permits for managed lakes or trout streams.
Waterfowl and big-game supplements are hunting licenses. They are not required merely because you are fishing, even though they appear on the same TWRA fee page.
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When Extra Permits Apply
Check for an extra permit when you plan to fish for trout, enter a TWRA-managed lake, fish Gatlinburg waters, fish Tellico River or Citico Creek during the permit season, use Green Cove Pond, fish Bedford Lake or Lake Halford, or cross into Virginia’s portion of South Holston Reservoir.
A license or permit can also have age exemptions that differ from the base-license rules. Tellico-Citico’s permit is required for all ages when the permit rule is in effect, while many TWRA lake permits are not required for anglers under 16 or Tennessee residents age 65 or older.
Types of Supplemental Permits
| Permit or License | Current Fee | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Trout Supplemental | $21 | Adds trout to an eligible resident base license. |
| South Holston Reservoir Supplemental | $20 | Required for licensed Tennessee residents age 13+ fishing the Virginia portion; Sportsman holders also need it. |
| Tellico-Citico Trout, One Day | $6 | Seasonally required on Tellico River and Citico Creek and year-round on Green Cove Pond; required for all ages. |
| TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit, Daily | $6 | Required in addition to a base license for covered anglers fishing a TWRA state lake for one day. |
| TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit, Annual | $48 | Annual access to TWRA state lakes for covered anglers; a base license is still required. |
| Bedford Lake, One Day | $6 | One-day permit for Bedford Lake. |
| Gatlinburg Trout License, One Day | $11 | The only license needed for one day of fishing in Gatlinburg; streams are closed Thursdays for stocking. |
| Gatlinburg Trout Permit, One Day | $3 | Added to an appropriate base license for anglers ages 13–64. |
| Gatlinburg Trout Permit, Three Day | $9 | Added to an appropriate base license for three days. |
| Lake Halford Permit, One Day / Annual | $6 / $48 | Required for covered recreational users; under 16 and Tennessee residents 65+ are exempt. |
How to Buy Permits
- Identify the exact water and species before purchasing.
- Open Go Outdoors Tennessee or visit a TWRA licensed agent or regional office.
- Buy the correct base license first, then add the trout or special-water permit shown for your trip.
- Review the effective and expiration dates in the cart and save the digital proof.
Special Area and Lake Permits Explained
Special-area permits are tied to the water, not simply to the species. A trout supplemental may let you take trout statewide where otherwise legal, but it does not automatically cover every managed trout area or lake permit.
For Gatlinburg, you can buy the $11 one-day Gatlinburg Trout License as the only license needed for that day, or pair an appropriate base license with the $3 one-day or $9 three-day Gatlinburg permit. Gatlinburg streams are closed on Thursdays for stocking.
The $6 Tellico-Citico permit applies seasonally to Tellico River and Citico Creek and year-round to Green Cove Pond. The $20 South Holston supplement applies only when a licensed Tennessee resident fishes the Virginia portion of South Holston Reservoir.
The current TWRA fee page lists Lake Halford permits at $6 per day or $48 annually. It does not list a separate “Agency Lake” permit under that name, so use the current water name shown in the TWRA system when buying.
Warning: Posted water rules control. Closures, bait rules, creel limits, and permit seasons can differ even between nearby waters, so check the exact location before casting.
How and Where to Buy or Replace Your License
Most licenses and permits are available online through Go Outdoors Tennessee, through a TWRA licensed agent, or at a TWRA regional office. TWRA also lists county clerks, sporting-goods stores, hardware stores, and some boat docks as sales locations. Specialty licenses, including lifetime and disability licenses, use separate applications.
- Confirm residency: Make sure your Tennessee address and identification are current.
- Select the license: Match the age range, trout privilege, county restriction, and trip length.
- Check add-ons: Add any required special-water permit.
- Review the cart: Check processing fees, effective dates, and expiration dates before paying.
- Keep proof: Save the license in your account or mobile app and carry accessible proof while fishing.
If you lose an annual license, sign in to your Go Outdoors Tennessee account and print another copy at no charge. A TWRA licensed agent can also help replace a license. Current official guidance lists free online reprints and does not list an $8 fishing-license reprint fee.
Pro Tip: Update your address before buying a County of Residence license. That license is valid only in your home county and has strict bait and lure limits.
Rules, Season Dates, and Conservation Contributions
A license gives you permission to fish; it does not replace the fishing regulations. Review the current Tennessee fishing regulations for statewide laws, regional exceptions, trout rules, bait rules, and water-specific length and creel limits.
As of July 28, 2026, TWRA lists the 2025–26 guide as covering August 2025 through July 2026 and the 2026–27 guide as covering August 2026 through July 2027. The 2026–27 fishing rules take effect August 1, 2026, so anglers fishing across that date should review the new guide.
Catch-and-release is not mandatory for selected species everywhere in Tennessee. It applies where a statewide or water-specific rule says it does. For 2026–27, for example, TWRA lists catch-and-release-only rules for black bass at Travis McNatt Lake and Woodhaven Lake.
Other basic rules include not moving live fish, crayfish, or salamanders to different Tennessee waters; obeying hazardous-area life-jacket rules below marked dams and locks; and following fish-consumption advisories where posted.
TWRA states that 100% of license dollars support wildlife conservation in Tennessee.
License revenue and federal sport-fish funds support hatcheries, access sites, boat ramps, habitat work, fish surveys, stocking evaluation, and other fisheries-management projects. Responsible anglers also help by disposing of fishing line and bait properly, reporting illegal dumping, and never releasing bait or fish into a different water body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my resident license to another person?
No. Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses are not transferable. Each angler must use a license issued in that person’s own name.
Are fishing accessories or bait taxed separately?
Fishing tackle and bait are retail products, separate from the license fee. Tennessee generally applies a 7% state sales tax to most tangible personal property, plus the applicable local rate, unless a specific exemption applies.
Do I need a license to fish a private-property lake?
Usually yes, unless you qualify for Tennessee’s farmland-owner, family, or agricultural-tenant exemption. You also need the owner’s permission. Merely standing on private property or fishing a privately owned pond does not automatically exempt every angler.
Is catch-and-release mandatory for certain species statewide?
Not as a blanket statewide rule for every fish of a named species. Catch-and-release requirements are tied to the current statewide regulation or to a specific water, species, size range, or season.
How are license fees used for habitat restoration?
TWRA says all license dollars support wildlife conservation. Fisheries spending includes hatcheries, habitat improvement, access sites, boat ramps, fish population surveys, stocking work, and related management.
How long is a Tennessee annual fishing license valid?
Most annual licenses are valid for 365 days from the purchase date unless the license page states a different fixed expiration date.
Does a trout supplemental cover Gatlinburg or Tellico-Citico?
Not by itself. Those waters have special permit rules. Buy the applicable Gatlinburg or Tellico-Citico permit in addition to any base license or trout privilege required for your trip.
Can I show my fishing license on my phone?
You can keep licenses in your Go Outdoors Tennessee account and the TWRA On the Go app. Make sure the proof is accessible when an officer asks to inspect it.
Sources
- TWRA License Structure and Fees — resident fees, age groups, exemptions, special permits, senior, lifetime, and disability licenses.
- TWRA Frequently Asked Questions — youth licensing, senior rules, county-license restrictions, and free reprints.
- Tennessee Fishing Guide and Regulations — current statewide laws, special-water rules, and 2026–27 updates.
- TWRA Guides, Rules and Regulations — effective date ranges for the annual fishing guides.
- Fishing in Tennessee — fisheries-management work, responsible angling, and conservation uses.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue Sales Tax Rates — general state and local sales-tax guidance.
Conclusion
For most Tennessee residents, the key choices are the $9 junior license for ages 13–15, the $6 or $11 one-day license, the $10 county-restricted license, or the $33 annual combination license. Add trout and special-water permits only when your trip requires them. Confirm the exact water, review the current TWRA rules, save your proof of purchase, and carry every required license while fishing.
