Tennessee Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
How much is a fishing license in Tennessee?
A resident annual Tennessee fishing license costs $34.00, and a non-resident annual license is $80.00. Tennessee also offers short-term day passes and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
🎫 Buy a Tennessee Fishing License →Fishing in Tennessee
Tennessee is reservoirs and cold tailwaters. The Tennessee River lakes are world-class smallmouth and largemouth water — Chickamauga regularly produces giant bass — and they hold striped bass, crappie and catfish. Below the dams, the South Holston, Watauga and Caney Fork grow trophy brown and rainbow trout in classic tailwater fashion. A trout permit covers the cold water, and the warmwater fishing runs strong all year.
Tennessee Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$34.00
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$80.00
Non-Resident 3-Day
Freshwater
$20.50
Non-Resident 10-Day
Freshwater
$30.50
Senior (65+)
Freshwater
$4.00
TN resident 65+: $4 annual (or $49 permanent). Free if born before 3/1/1926.
Youth (under 13)
FreeSenior verified. Resident/non-resident annuals unconfirmed — tn.gov TLS error blocked direct fetch and $80 matches neither TWRA tier ($49 no-trout / $98 all-species); confirm on gooutdoorstennessee.
✅ Prices verified January 2026 from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Tennessee fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Tennessee. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 13 do not need a license. Residents and non-residents under 13 need no fishing license. Youth 13–15 may buy an optional $9 Junior license; during Free Fishing Week (below) youth 15 and under fish free.
- Seniors (65+)
- No $5 product exists. Residents 65+ buy a $4 annual Senior Citizen (hunt/fish/trap) license, or a one-time $49 permanent senior license. Residents born before March 1, 1926 fish completely free.
- Anglers with disabilities
- A reduced-fee permanent license (one-time $10) for Tennessee residents who are legally blind, permanently confined to a wheelchair, intellectually disabled, or receiving SSI for an intellectual disability. Certification/forms filed with the TWRA Sales Office in Nashville.
- Veterans & military
- Disabled-veteran permanent license (one-time $10) for residents rated 30% disabled from war service or 100% service-connected disabled by the VA.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day; anyone of any age may fish Tennessee's public waters without a license. Free Fishing Week follows for youth 15 and younger, June 6–12, 2026. Applies to public waters, TWRA-owned lakes and state-park facilities; some private pay lakes still charge.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified August 2026.
Tennessee Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Tennessee species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth/Smallmouth BassStatewide general; Chickamauga and many lakes set slot rules | 5 | No limit | Year-round |
| CrappieVaries by reservoir | 15 | 10" | Year-round |
| TroutSouth Holston/Watauga have trophy-brown rules | 7 | No limit | Year-round (tailwaters) |
| SaugerStatewide 10/day, 15-inch minimum; river-specific limits apply | 10 | 15" | Year-round |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Tennessee Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Tennessee?
A resident annual fishing license in Tennessee costs $34.00, and a non-resident annual license costs $80.00. Tennessee also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Do you need a fishing license in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 13 are exempt. No $5 product exists. Residents 65+ buy a $4 annual Senior Citizen (hunt/fish/trap) license, or a one-time $49 permanent senior license. Residents born before March 1, 1926 fish completely free. Always confirm current rules with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before you fish.
Where do you buy a Tennessee fishing license?
Buy directly from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Tennessee.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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