Choose the Right Tennessee Fishing License Before You Pay
Tennessee license choice depends on the real trip: resident or visitor, age 13–15 or adult, trout or no trout, county-of-residence natural bait fishing, TWRA State Lake, Gatlinburg waters, Tellico-Citico, Reelfoot, South Holston, or Free Fishing Day. This guide helps you choose first, then buy through the official TWRA system.
Answer These 8 Questions Before Buying
This is the practical way to avoid the wrong Tennessee license. A normal lake trip, trout stream, Gatlinburg trip, county natural-bait trip, TWRA State Lake visit, Reelfoot trip and South Holston border-water trip can all require different license choices.
Most Common Tennessee Fishing License Answers
Date reminder: TWRA states most annual licenses and permits are valid 365 days from the purchase date unless otherwise noted. Check the exact effective and expiration date in the cart before checkout.
Use This Page Like a Tennessee Fishing License Checklist
Official Tennessee Fishing License Links: What to Click and What to Do There
TWRA License Structure and Fees
Use this to verify current resident, nonresident, trout, senior, special permit, Reelfoot, Gatlinburg and state lake fees.
Go Outdoors Tennessee
Use this to purchase, view, print, reprint, renew, manage your customer account and store your license.
Licensed Agent Locator
Use this before searching for “license near me.” It helps verify current official license agents.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations
Use this before keeping fish. It covers statewide rules, exceptions, trout regulations, bait rules, protected species and inspection law.
Fishing Locations
Use this when choosing a lake, river, reservoir, community lake or access point in Tennessee.
Trout Fishing & Stockings
Use this for trout stocking, tailwaters, stocked streams and trout fishing updates.
Fishing & Boating Map
Use this interactive map for access points, boating and fishing location planning.
Dam Generation Schedules
Check TVA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and USGS water data before fishing below dams or in tailwaters.
TWRA Main Contact
TWRA main office: 5107 Edmondson Pike, Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN 37211. Phone: (615) 781-6500.
Choose the Correct Tennessee License by Fishing Situation
| Your real situation | Likely license or action | Why it matters | What to do next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident age 16–64 fishing public waters, no trout | Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | TWRA lists this as the minimum annual license for resident fishing and small-game hunting. | Buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee. |
| Resident fishing trout | Base license + Annual Trout Supplemental | The trout supplemental allows an angler to fish for trout with a qualifying base license. | Add $21 trout supplemental unless your license already covers it. |
| Resident fishing only in county of residence with natural bait | County of Residence Fishing – No Trout | Lower-cost license, but it is limited to natural bait and county of residence. | Do not use minnows or artificial lures; add trout supplemental for trout. |
| Nonresident adult fishing Tennessee without trout | Nonresident no-trout license | TWRA lists annual, 3-day and 10-day no-trout options. | Choose annual, 3-day or 10-day based on trip length. |
| Nonresident adult fishing trout | Nonresident all-species license | All-species options include trout. | Choose 3-day, 10-day or annual all-species. |
| Youth age 13–15 | Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap or nonresident junior equivalent | TWRA lists youth licenses for ages 13–15; under 12 is exempt. | Check resident/nonresident youth license before fishing. |
| Resident age 65+ | Senior annual, permanent senior, or senior sportsman | Senior options remove many supplemental needs, but some WMA/quota conditions still apply. | Carry proof of age and residency. |
| Fishing a TWRA State Lake | Base license + State Lake Fishing Permit | TWRA State Lake permits are required in addition to the base fishing license for sport fishing on TWRA State lakes. | Choose daily or annual permit. |
| Fishing Gatlinburg waters | Gatlinburg trout license or permit | Gatlinburg has special 1-day license and permit options, and streams are closed Thursdays due to stocking. | Choose correct one-day license or permit before fishing. |
| Fishing Reelfoot WMA | Reelfoot Preservation Permit may apply | TWRA lists the permit for Reelfoot users except listed exemptions. | Check 1-day, 3-day or annual permit need. |
Most helpful shortcut: A regular base license is not the full answer if your trip includes trout, Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA State Lakes, Reelfoot, Lake Halford or South Holston’s Virginia side.
Tennessee Resident Fishing License Fees
| License or privilege | Who it fits | Official listed price | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap | Resident ages 13–15 | $9 | Sport fishing, hunting and trapping before 16th birthday; WMA permits may still be needed. |
| 1-Day Fishing – No Trout | Resident ages 13–64 | $6 | One-day non-trout trip. |
| 1-Day Fishing – All Species | Resident ages 16–64 | $11 | One-day trip including trout. |
| Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | Resident ages 16–64 | $33 | Minimum annual resident license for fishing and small-game hunting; add trout if needed. |
| Annual Trout Supplemental | Resident trout anglers needing add-on | $21 | Fishing for trout with qualifying base license. |
| County of Residence Fishing – No Trout | Residents age 13+ fishing in county of residence | $10 | Natural bait only, no minnows, no artificial lures; trout supplemental required for trout. |
| Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap | Resident age 65+ | $4 | Senior annual option; valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age/residency required. |
| Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap | Resident age 65+ | $49 | Permanent senior option after 65th birthday. |
| Annual Sportsman | Resident ages 16–64 | $165 | All-inclusive hunting, trapping and sport fishing without state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits. |
| Senior Sportsman | Resident age 65+ | $49 | All-inclusive senior sportsman option. |
County license caution: The $10 county-of-residence license is not the same as a full statewide fishing license. It is limited to the resident’s county, natural bait, no minnows and no artificial lures, and trout requires a supplemental license.
Tennessee Nonresident Fishing License Fees
| License | Who it fits | Official listed price | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Junior Hunt/Fish Combination – No Big Game | Nonresident ages 13–15 | $10 | Junior fishing and small-game hunting; youth 12 and under do not need a license. |
| Annual Fishing – No Trout | Nonresident age 16+ | $49 | Annual Tennessee fishing without trout. |
| 3-Day Fishing – No Trout | Nonresident age 16+ | $20 | Short visit without trout. |
| 3-Day Fishing – All Species including Trout | Nonresident age 16+ | $40 | Short trip that includes trout. |
| 10-Day Fishing – No Trout | Nonresident | $30 | Longer non-trout vacation or multi-day trip. |
| 10-Day Fishing – All Species including Trout | Nonresident age 16+ | $61 | Longer trip including trout. |
| Annual Fishing – All Species including Trout | Nonresident age 16+ | $98 | Best for visitors fishing Tennessee multiple times, including trout. |
Visitor choice tip: Choose no-trout only when the trip truly avoids trout waters. If Gatlinburg, stocked trout streams or trout tailwaters are part of the plan, all-species coverage is usually the safer checkout path.
Special Tennessee Fishing Permits People Often Miss
| Special permit | Official listed price | When it matters | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tellico-Citico Trout 1-Day Permit | $6 | Seasonally for Tellico River and Citico Creek, year-round on Green Cove Pond. | Required for all ages. |
| TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit – Daily | $6 | Sport fishing for one day on TWRA State lakes. | Required in addition to base fishing license for residents 16–64 and nonresidents 16+. |
| TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit – Annual | $48 | Frequent TWRA State Lake fishing. | Still check the base license requirement. |
| Bedford Lake 1-Day Permit | $6 | Fishing at Bedford Lake. | One-day permit. |
| 1-Day Gatlinburg Trout License | $11 | Residents or nonresidents fishing one day in Gatlinburg. | This license is the only requirement for one-day Gatlinburg fishing; streams closed Thursdays due to stocking. |
| 1-Day Gatlinburg Trout Permit | $3 | Ages 13–64 fishing Gatlinburg waters with base license. | Required in addition to base license, unless holding 1-Day Gatlinburg Trout License. |
| 3-Day Gatlinburg Trout Permit | $9 | Three-day Gatlinburg trout trip. | Required with appropriate fishing license. |
| Lake Halford 1-Day Permit | $6 | Anyone using Lake Halford area for recreation unless exempt. | Under 16 and residents 65+ are listed exceptions. |
| Annual Lake Halford Permit | $48 | Frequent Lake Halford use. | Check exemptions before buying. |
| Reelfoot Preservation Permit | $3 / $10 / $16 | 1-day, 3-day or annual Reelfoot WMA use. | Required for all users except listed exemptions. |
| South Holston Reservoir Supplemental | $20 | Licensed Tennessee residents fishing the Virginia portion of South Holston Reservoir. | Sportsman license holders also need this additional license for the Virginia portion. |
Special permit warning: A base fishing license may not be enough for Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA State Lakes, Lake Halford, Reelfoot WMA or South Holston’s Virginia side. Check the exact water before checkout.
Age, Residency, Senior, Native Tennessean and Exemption Rules
| Person or situation | Rule direction | What to verify before checkout |
|---|---|---|
| Residents or nonresidents under 12 | TWRA lists under 12 as exempt. | Free Fishing Week and local permits/rules can still matter in some situations. |
| Ages 13–15 | Junior licenses apply. | Resident or nonresident status and WMA or special permit needs. |
| Resident ages 16–64 | Usually needs resident base license and trout/special permits when applicable. | Tennessee driver’s license, state ID, or 90-day proof if no TN ID. |
| Nonresident age 16+ | Needs nonresident license for fishing. | No-trout vs all-species, 3-day vs 10-day vs annual. |
| Resident age 65+ | Senior annual, permanent senior or senior sportsman options may apply. | Valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age and residency. |
| Native Tennessean nonresident | Nonresidents born in Tennessee may apply for Native Tennessean annual licenses at resident cost. | First-time application route and renewal status. |
| Active-duty military in Tennessee | May qualify as resident for license purchase. | Active duty in Tennessee and qualifying children under 16 residing with them. |
| Student in Tennessee | Students enrolled in a Tennessee school, college or university for at least six months may qualify with student ID. | Appropriate student ID and enrollment length. |
| Farmland owner or tenant exemption | Specific resident farmland owner and agricultural tenant exemptions may apply. | Relationship, residence, farmland ownership/tenancy and TWRA exemption form requirements. |
False information warning: TWRA notes that giving false information to obtain a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and loss of license. Licenses are not transferable.
How to Buy, Reprint, Renew or Store a Tennessee Fishing License
Start with Go Outdoors Tennessee or TWRA
Use Go Outdoors Tennessee for online purchase and account access, or start from the official TWRA license structure page to verify license type first.
Sign in or create the correct account
Existing customers can log in with date of birth, last name and identifier such as last four of SSN, driver’s license or customer ID. New customers create a TWRA customer account.
Choose your exact trip type
Select resident or nonresident, no-trout or all-species, youth or senior, county license, Gatlinburg, Reelfoot, State Lake, Lake Halford or other special permit as needed.
Review effective and expiration dates
Most annual Tennessee licenses are valid 365 days from purchase unless otherwise noted. Review dates in the cart before payment, especially for fixed-date permits or special items.
Print, email or store your license
Go Outdoors Tennessee says the electronic copy received by email is a true and legal copy. You can also log in and select reprint my license, or use the Go Outdoors Tennessee mobile app.
Check regulations before keeping fish
Open TWRA fishing regulations before keeping fish. Limits and exceptions can change by species, reservoir, region and trout water.
Login help: Go Outdoors Tennessee lists 1-888-891-8972 for login assistance. Have date of birth, last name, license email, customer ID or old license information ready before calling.
Tennessee Fishing License Near Me: Online, Agent, County Clerk or Regional Office
Buy online and print immediately
Use Go Outdoors Tennessee when you already know your license type. This is also the best path for reprint, renewal and account management.
Use the TWRA licensed agent locator
TWRA says licenses are available through licensed agents and other sellers. Verify the current seller before driving.
Regional offices
TWRA regional offices can help with official information and regional guidance. Use the region closest to your fishing location.
County clerks and stores
TWRA states licenses are available through county clerks, sporting-goods stores, hardware stores and boat docks, but specialty licenses may need a different route.
Before visiting a store: Write down what you need: resident or nonresident, age group, no-trout or all-species, county license, State Lake permit, Gatlinburg permit, Reelfoot permit or senior license.
Tennessee Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week 2026
Free does not mean rule-free: Even on Free Fishing Day or Free Fishing Week, check creel limits, size limits, special regulations, private-property permission, trout water rules and Gatlinburg local closures before fishing.
Tennessee Fishing Trip Planner by Water Type
| Trip type | License check | Rule check | Official resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular reservoir or river fishing | Resident or nonresident base license. | Creel, length, reservoir exceptions, access and dam generation. | Fishing regulations |
| Trout water | All-species or trout supplemental. | Stocking schedule, stream rules and trout regulations. | Trout stockings |
| TWRA State Lake | Base license plus daily or annual State Lake permit if required. | Lake permit, hours, local lake rules and access. | TWRA license fees |
| Gatlinburg trout waters | Gatlinburg 1-day license or trout permit plus base license. | Streams closed Thursdays due to stocking and local water rules. | Gatlinburg permit fees |
| Reelfoot WMA | Base license plus Reelfoot Preservation Permit if not exempt. | Permit duration, WMA rules and special area rules. | Reelfoot permit info |
| Tailwater below a dam | Fishing license plus trout if applicable. | Dam generation, hazardous areas and life jacket rules. | TWRA fishing safety links |
A Tennessee Fishing License Does Not Mean Every Fish Is Legal to Keep
Important user note: License proof is only one part of legal fishing. Species, size, daily limit, season, method, access, waterbody rule, permit and safety condition all work together.
Common Tennessee Fishing License Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it causes trouble | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Buying no-trout license for a trout trip | Trout requires all-species coverage or trout supplemental. | Add trout before fishing trout waters. |
| Using county license statewide | County of Residence license is limited to county of residence and natural bait. | Buy a full base license for statewide/artificial lure use. |
| Forgetting State Lake permit | TWRA State Lakes can require a special daily or annual permit in addition to base license. | Add the State Lake permit before fishing those lakes. |
| Ignoring Gatlinburg rules | Gatlinburg has special trout license/permit options and Thursday stocking closures. | Choose the correct Gatlinburg license or permit. |
| No proof offline | Remote lakes, tailwaters and mountain streams may have weak signal. | Save PDF, email copy, app copy or printed copy. |
| Fishing private water without permission | A license does not grant access to private property. | Get permission from the landowner first. |
| Moving live fish to another water | TWRA warns illegal stocking harms Tennessee fisheries, especially bass fisheries. | Never release live fish into a different public water. |
TWRA Phone Numbers, Offices and Support
1-888-891-8972
Go Outdoors Tennessee lists this number for login assistance and previously held license account issues.
(615) 781-6500
TWRA main office: 5107 Edmondson Pike, Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN 37211.
Ask.TWRA@tn.gov
Use for general TWRA questions when online pages do not answer your situation.
Jackson
200 Lowell Thomas Dr., Jackson, TN 38301. Phone: (731) 423-5725.
Nashville
Ellington Agricultural Center, 5107 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, TN 37204. Phone: (615) 781-6622.
Crossville
464 Industrial Blvd., Crossville, TN 38555. Phone: (931) 484-9571.
Morristown
3030 Wildlife Way, Morristown, TN 37814. Phone: (423) 587-7037.
Customer lookup
Use date of birth, last name and identifier such as SSN last four, driver’s license or customer ID to locate your account.
Electronic license
The license email copy is a legal copy. You can log in and choose reprint my license if needed.
Support script: “I am trying to buy or reprint a Tennessee fishing license. My name is [name], date of birth is [DOB], I am resident/nonresident, and I need no-trout/all-species/trout supplemental/Gatlinburg/State Lake/Reelfoot help. The issue is [error message]. Can you help me locate my account or choose the correct product?”
Tennessee Fishing License FAQs
Where do I buy a Tennessee fishing license online?
Use Go Outdoors Tennessee for official online purchase, view, print, reprint and account management.
How long is a Tennessee annual fishing license valid?
Most annual Tennessee licenses and permits are valid 365 days from the purchase date unless otherwise noted. Check the exact cart date before checkout.
How much is a Tennessee resident annual fishing license?
TWRA lists the resident Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license at $33 for ages 16–64. Trout requires a supplemental license unless your license already includes it.
How much is a Tennessee trout license?
TWRA lists the Annual Trout Supplemental at $21. It must be purchased with a qualifying base license unless you hold an all-inclusive license that covers trout.
How much is a Tennessee nonresident fishing license?
TWRA lists nonresident Annual Fishing – No Trout at $49 and Annual Fishing – All Species including Trout at $98. Shorter 3-day and 10-day options are also listed.
Do children need a Tennessee fishing license?
TWRA lists residents or nonresidents under 12 as exempt. Ages 13–15 have junior license options, and special youth/free fishing dates may apply.
What is the Tennessee county of residence fishing license?
It is a $10 no-trout license for residents age 13+ that allows fishing in the angler’s county of residence with natural bait. It does not allow minnows or artificial lures, and trout requires a supplemental license.
What is Tennessee Free Fishing Day in 2026?
TWRA lists Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day for June 6, 2026, and Free Fishing Week for children age 15 and younger from June 6 through June 12, 2026.
Can I reprint my Tennessee fishing license?
Yes. Go Outdoors Tennessee allows customers to view and print licenses. The electronic copy received by email is a true and legal copy, and another email copy can be sent by logging in and choosing reprint my license.
Do TWRA State Lakes need an extra permit?
Yes, TWRA lists daily and annual TWRA State Lake Fishing Permits required in addition to the base fishing license for sport fishing on TWRA State lakes, with listed age and residency conditions.
What number helps with Go Outdoors Tennessee login problems?
Go Outdoors Tennessee lists 1-888-891-8972 for log-in assistance.
Is TennesseeFishingLicense.website the official TWRA website?
No. TennesseeFishingLicense.website is an informational guide. Use TWRA and Go Outdoors Tennessee official resources for final purchase, current fees, rules and account support.
Final Takeaway
The safest Tennessee fishing license workflow is simple: identify your water and trip type, confirm age and residency, decide trout or no-trout, check special permits, review the 365-day dates, save proof, and read the fishing regulations before keeping fish.
Use this page as a decision guide, then use Go Outdoors Tennessee and TWRA official resources for final purchase, reprint, renewal, customer account support and current rules.