Tennessee Fishing Licenses
Fishing licenses go on sale February 18 each year, the beginning of prime fishing, and are valid through the last day of February. Most licenses, except the Lifetime Sportsman License and specialty licenses, such as Wheelchair, Disabled Veteran, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and Blind Fishing licenses, are available from most county clerks, sporting goods stores, hardware stores, boat docks, online, and from all TWRA offices.
Hunting and fishing license sales and federal excise taxes comprise almost 100 percent of the TWRA's operating funds. Thank you for buying a hunting and fishing license. Without your support, Tennessee would not have the abundance of fish and wildlife that we all enjoy.
Fishing License Requirements
Who Must Have a Tennessee Fishing License?
If you take fish or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license. There are some exceptions:
No Fishing License Needed If:
- You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident).
- Landowners, their spouses and children, who fish on their farmland which is owned by an individual or a family. Landowners, their spouses and children must be residents of Tennessee but need not reside on the land.
- Tenants, their spouses and dependent children who fish on farmland owned by an individual or a family. Tenants, their spouses and dependent children must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have permission of the landowner to fish. A tenant is a person who, for money or free rent, or other consideration, cares for farmland. The tenancy must be agricultural in nature.
- Resident grandchildren (under 16) and resident great-grandchildren (under 16) who fish on farmland which is owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents.
- First cousins who own farmland jointly or in common may fish on the farmland. Their children may fish as well.
- You are on military leave, carrying a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement.
- You are a resident who was born before March 1, 1926. (To qualify for this exemption, you must carry proof of your age and residency to show to a wildlife officer, if requested.)
- It's Free Fishing Day!
- It's Free Fishing Week! Children all ages 15 and younger can fish free during free fishing week.
Farmland Owner License Exemption
Persons hunting without a license under a resident farmland owner exemption must complete and sign a statement, attesting where the property is located and how this land qualifies for a landowner exemption. Persons may complete the form in advance and carry it with them while hunting or they may complete the form when requested in the field by a TWRA official or when checking game. Resident landowners and their children hunting on their parent's land under this exemption are also exempt from Hunter Education Certification requirements.
Resident Licenses
Resident Fishing License Qualifications
- Persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver's license.
- Persons who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home. Proof of residency required.
- Military personnel on active duty in this state and their immediate families, who reside with them, regardless of resident status.
- Students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months (must present a student ID card or other proof of enrollment
A Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Annual Hunting & Fishing Combination Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game |
$28.00 |
| 002 | Jr. Hunt, Fish & Trap (Ages 13-15) Good for hunting all game, fishing, and trapping. Must be purchased prior to 16th birthday. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. |
$8.00 |
| 021 | One-Day Fishing | $5.50 |
| 022 | Annual Trout (Type 22 is a supplemental license that is required in addition to Type 001, Type 020 or Type 021) |
$18.00 |
| 004 | Sportsman An all inclusive license, valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all TWRA license agents. |
$136.00 |
| 401 | Lifetime Sportsman (under 3 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$200.00 |
| 406 | Lifetime Sportsman (3-6 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$540.00 |
| 402 | Lifetime Sportsman (7-12 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$810.00 |
| 403 | Lifetime Sportsman (13-50 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$1,620.00 |
| 404 | Lifetime Sportsman (51-64 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$945.00 |
| 405 | Lifetime Sportsman (65+ years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$270.00 |
| 166 | Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Available from any license agent for a one-time fee, and valid for the rest of the license holder's life. This is not a Lifetime Sportsman License. Additional permits may be required. Can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver's license or proof of age and residency is required. A trout license is not required. |
$11.00 |
| 167 | Annual Senior Citizen Permit May be purchased as a supplement to cover all permits needed in the current license year. |
$41.00 |
| 20 | County of Residence Fishing This license allows an angler to fish in his/her county of residence with natural bait (worms, crickets, corn, etc.), but not minnows. No artificial baits can be used. A supplemental license (Type 022) is required to fish for trout. |
$9.00 |
| Permanent Fishing Licenses | ||
| The following licenses are available only by application from the TWRA Sales Office located in Nashville. They are available for a one-time fee and are valid for the rest of the license holder's life. They are not Lifetime Sportsman Licenses. Additional permits may be required. A trout license is not required. | ||
| 197 | Permanent Sport Fishing License for the Blind | $10.00 |
| 189 | Permanent Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing Application must be accompanied by a doctor's statement stating that the applicant is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Covers all license requirements to hunt and fish but holder must purchase any applicable permits. |
$10.00 |
| 198 | Permanent DAV Hunting and Fishing Available to resident veterans certified by the VA as 30 percent disabled by reason of war service or 100% service connected. |
$10.00 |
| 199 | Permanent Mentally Challenged Must be receiving SSI benefits due to mental retardation. |
$10.00 |
Nonresident Fishing Licenses
Anyone who does not qualify for a resident license must purchase the appropriate nonresident license(s) to fish in Tennessee.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 070 | Jr. Hunt/Fish |
$9.00 |
| 076 | Annual Fishing (no trout) | $41.00 |
| 077 | Three-Day Fishing (no trout) | $16.50 |
| 079 | Ten-Day Fishing (no trout) | $25.50 |
| 078 | Three-Day All Fish | $33.50 |
| 080 | Ten-Day All Fish | $50.50 |
| 081 | Annual All Fish |
$81.00 |
Special Permits
If you purchase one of the following special permits, you must also have all applicable licenses.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 089 | Reelfoot Preservation Permit - Annual | $17.00 |
| 088 | Reelfoot Preservation Permit - Three-Day | $10.50 |
| 090 | Reelfoot Preservation Permit - Daily | $3.50 |
| 098 | Tellico-Citico Trout-Daily
Required for all ages |
$5.50 |
| 191 | Agency Lake - Daily Permit | $5.00 |
| 193 | Agency Lake - Annual Permit Valid on all Agency lakes, this permit is sold at Agency Lake offices. |
$40.00 |
| 065 | Bedford Lake Daily Permit | $5.50 |
Gatlinburg Trout Fishing
For information on fishing in the Gatlinburg area, contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 520 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Phone: 865-436-4558; 1-800-568-4748.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 097 | Nonresident Gatlinburg 1-Day Trout Permit Only requirement for nonresidents, ages 13 and up, to fish in Gatlinburg for one day. |
$11.50 |
| 099 | Gatlinburg Trout - Daily Required for both residents and nonresident ages 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the Type 097 license. |
$2.50 |
| 096 | Gatlinburg 3-Day Trout Permit Required for both residents and nonresidents ages 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the (Type 097) permit. |
$9.50 |
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