Tennessee · Fishing license
Do I need a fishing license in Tennessee?
Yes — anyone 13 or older needs one.
A year costs $33 if you live here and $49 if you don't. Just passing through? Three day fishing, no trout, age 16 and over costs $20.
What it costs
If you live in Tennessee
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Combination hunt and fish, annual, ages 16 to 64TWRA calls this the "minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game". Tennessee sells its residents no fishing-only annual licence — this is the entry point even if you never hunt. Trout needs the supplement on top. | $33 |
| County of residence fishing, no trout, age 13 and overOnly valid in the county you live in. The cheapest full-year option for someone who fishes close to home. | $10 |
| Junior hunt, fish and trap, ages 13 to 15Valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing. | $9 |
| Senior citizen hunt, fish and trap, age 65 and overThe cheapest annual licence of any state on this site. | $4 |
| Senior sportsman, age 65 and overAll-inclusive: hunting, trapping and sport fishing with no state supplements or non-quota permits needed. | $49 |
| Annual sportsman, ages 16 to 64The all-inclusive licence at the full rate — it removes every supplement, trout included. | $165 |
| One day fishing, no trout, ages 13 to 64The cheapest legal day of fishing in Tennessee for a resident. | $6 |
| One day fishing, all species, ages 16 to 64Trout included, so no supplement needed for that day. | $11 |
If you're visiting
| license | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual fishing, no trout, age 16 and over | $49 |
| Annual fishing, all species including trout, age 16 and overExactly double the no-trout licence. | $98 |
| Ten day fishing, no trout | $30 |
| Ten day fishing, all species including trout, age 16 and over | $61 |
| Three day fishing, no trout, age 16 and overThe cheapest way for a visitor to fish Tennessee legally. | $20 |
| Three day fishing, all species including trout, age 16 and over | $40 |
How long it lasts
TWRA: "Annual licenses and permits are valid 365 days from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted." Like Arizona and Ohio, Tennessee runs no fixed licence year.
Who doesn't need one
- Anyone 12 or younger
- Everyone on Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day, resident or visitor, at any age
- Youth 15 and younger for the whole week that begins on Free Fishing Day
TWRA words the age rule this way: TWRA sets the line at 13: ages 12 and under need no licence, and the resident licences are written for ages 13 and over. The junior licence covers 13 to 15, the ordinary rates run 16 to 64, and from 65 a resident pays $4 for a hunt, fish and trap licence. Non-resident fishing licences are written for age 16 and over.
Where to buy it
- Online through TWRA’s licence sales
- At licence agents across the state
- At TWRA offices
Wondering about the big retailers? A shop like Walmart sells the state's license at the state's price — it sets none of its own.
Days you can fish without one
