Tennessee is the outlier in this whole set: there is no standalone annual fishing licence for residents. The cheapest way for a Tennessean to fish the state legally all year is the combination hunting and fishing licence, whether or not they ever pick up a gun. The alternative is the county-of-residence licence, which costs ten dollars and only works in the county you live in. Trout needs a supplement on top of either.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Tennessee fishing fee
Annual licences run one year from the date of purchase.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| One day, no trout, ages 13-64 | Resident | 1 day | $6.00 |
| One day, all species, ages 16-64 | Resident | 1 day | $11.00 |
| Three days, no trout | Visitor | 3 days | $20.00 |
| Three days, all species including trout | Visitor | 3 days | $40.00 |
| Ten days, no trout | Visitor | 10 days | $30.00 |
| Ten days, all species including trout | Visitor | 10 days | $61.00 |
| Senior hunt, fish and trap, annual | Resident | Annual | $4.00 |
| Junior hunt, fish and trap, ages 13-15 | Resident | Annual | $9.00 |
| County of residence, no trout, age 13 and over Valid only in your own county of residence. | Resident | Annual | $10.00 |
| Annual junior hunt and fish combination | Visitor | Annual | $10.00 |
| Combination hunting and fishing, ages 16-64 The minimum licence a Tennessee resident can buy to fish: the state sells no standalone annual fishing licence. | Resident | Annual | $33.00 |
| Senior sportsman, 65 and over | Resident | Annual | $49.00 |
| Annual, no trout, 16 and over | Visitor | Annual | $49.00 |
| Annual, all species including trout | Visitor | Annual | $98.00 |
| Annual sportsman, ages 16-64 | Resident | Annual | $165.00 |
| Senior hunt, fish and trap, permanent | Resident | Lifetime | $49.00 |
Tennessee is the outlier: there is no standalone annual resident fishing licence. Residents either buy the hunting and fishing combination or the county-of-residence licence, which only works where they live.
A change is proposed: Commission approved a new fee structure averaging 27β29% higher; still needs legislative sign-off. Old and new prices, the date and the law (proposed, earliest july 1, 2027, if the general assemblyβs joint government operations committee approves).
Passing through? Tennessee sells no one-day licence. The shortest option for a visitor is 3 days at $20. Compare every state's day licence.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Tennessee extras on top of the base licence, as TWRA lists them.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual trout supplemental | For residents, on top of the combination, county or one-day licence. Visitors buy an all-species licence instead. | $21.00 |
| South Holston Reservoir supplemental | β | $20.00 |
| TWRA lake fishing permit, annual | $6.00 for a day. Required on top of the base licence at TWRA lakes. | $48.00 |
| Gatlinburg trout permit, one day | Three days $9.00. Required of residents and visitors alike. | $3.00 |
A trout stamp is an endorsement, not a licence: it is useless without the licence above it. What it costs in every state, and the 26 that require none.
Do you need a fishing licence in Tennessee?
Yes, from age 13. Residents and visitors both need one from that birthday. What changes is the price, not the requirement.
$33.00 a year if you live in Tennessee, $49.00 if you are visiting.
Who does not need one
- Anglers under 13.
- Everyone on the state free fishing day.
Nobody needs a licence on Tennesseeβs free fishing days: the dates for this year, and what the day does not waive.
How to buy it
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices.
Official TWRA licensing page β
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 21 Tennessee waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Dale Hollow Lake β Overton County
- Chickamauga Lake β Meigs County
- Center Hill Lake β Warren County
- Norris Lake β Union County
- Douglas Lake β Jefferson County
- Watts Bar Lake β Roane County
- Percy Priest Lake β Davidson County
- Boone Lake β Washington County
- Old Hickory Lake β Sumner County
- Watauga Lake β Carter County
- Cherokee Lake β Grainger County
- Reelfoot Lake β Lake County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Tennessee?
$33.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $49.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
Do you need a fishing license in Tennessee?
Yes, from age 13, and it makes no difference whether you live there: residents and visitors both need one, they just pay different prices. $33.00 for a resident annual licence, $49.00 for a visitor. 2 exemptions apply, listed on this page.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Tennessee?
From age 13. Anglers under 13 fish without one, though the other rules, bag limits and catch record cards included, still apply to them.
Can I buy a Tennessee fishing licence online?
Yes. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency sells online and through licence agents.
Why is there no annual fishing licence in Tennessee?
The state structures it differently: residents buy the combination hunting and fishing licence, which is the minimum licence required to fish, or the cheaper county-of-residence licence that is valid only where they live. Visitors do get a standalone fishing licence, with and without trout.
Do I need a trout supplement in Tennessee?
Residents do, on top of the combination or county licence. Visitors buy an all-species licence that already includes trout, so the two sides of the state work differently.