Tennessee · Fishing license · Free days
Free fishing days in Tennessee
June 6, 2026, with free fishing for youth 15 and under through June 12
Free Fishing Day is open to everyone, resident or visitor, at any age. The week that follows is for youth 15 and under only. Both cover public waters, TWRA-owned lakes and state park facilities — privately owned pay lakes can still charge. Nothing else changes: limits, sizes, seasons and closed waters all still apply.
freshwater
June 6, 2026, with free fishing for youth 15 and under through June 12
TWRA: "All state residents and visitors of any age may fish for free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters. Additionally, youth ages 15 or younger may fish for free the entire week, beginning on Free Fishing Day." TWRA has run one every year since 1991.
Confirmed on the agency's own page.
What a free day does not cover
- Bag limits, size limits and closed seasons are unchanged.
- Waters that are closed stay closed.
- Separate permits can still be required — Tennessee charges for annual trout supplemental, south holston reservoir supplemental, age 13 and over. Check before you rely on a free day.
- A free day waives the license, not the rules the license comes with.
