Tennessee Combo Hunt and Fish License Is It Right for Anglers?
The Tennessee Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license is the common resident annual base license for fishing without trout and for small-game hunting. It is useful, but it is not automatically the best answer for every angler.
This guide explains exactly what the combo license covers, what it does not cover, when trout supplemental is required, when Sportsman is better, when one-day fishing is smarter, and what to check before buying through the official TWRA portal.
Fast answer: The Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish Annual license is usually the right starting license for a Tennessee resident adult who will fish statewide without trout and may also hunt small game. The listed base license fee is $33 before processing fees and optional extras.
Not enough for trout: the combo license by itself does not include trout. Resident anglers who fish for trout usually need Combination Hunt/Fish Annual $33 + Annual Trout Supplemental $21, making the common resident annual trout stack $54 before processing fees.
Not for visitors: nonresidents do not use the resident Combination Hunt/Fish Annual license. Visitors should compare nonresident 3-day, 10-day, annual no-trout, or all-species products.
Should You Buy the Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish License?
Tap the situation closest to your plan. This keeps readers from buying the combo license when a one-day, trout, Sportsman, senior, youth, or nonresident product is actually better.
Choose your situation
What the Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish Annual License Actually Covers
The combo license is a base license. That phrase matters. It gives useful privileges, but it does not unlock every fish, game species, permit area, WMA activity, or special water.
Basic statewide fishing
It is the common resident annual base license for fishing across Tennessee when you are not fishing for trout and no special permit applies.
Small-game base hunting
It is also the minimum resident base license for hunting small game statewide, subject to season, method, land access, and other hunting rules.
Annual validity
Most Tennessee annual licenses and permits are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted.
Electronic proof
Your electronic license copy is legal. Still screenshot or print it before low-signal lake, river, tailwater, or rural trips.
Works in Go Outdoors
It can be purchased through Go Outdoors Tennessee, a license agent, regional office, county clerk, or supported app path.
Can be reprinted
Active licenses can be reprinted online from the Go Outdoors Tennessee customer account if you lose proof.
What the Combo Hunt/Fish License Does Not Cover
This is where most checkout mistakes happen. “Combo” does not mean all-inclusive.
| Need / activity | Is combo enough? | What to add or check |
|---|---|---|
| Trout fishing | No | Add Annual Trout Supplemental $21, or choose a one-day all-species product for one-day resident trout trips. |
| Big game hunting | No | Big game supplemental licenses may be required depending on weapon and season. |
| Waterfowl hunting | No | Waterfowl supplemental, migratory bird/HIP, and federal requirements may apply. |
| Trapping | No | Supplemental trapping license may be required unless using an all-inclusive license that covers it. |
| WMA hunting | Usually not by itself | WMA permits can be required in addition to base and supplemental licenses. |
| Gatlinburg trout waters | Not always | Gatlinburg has special trout permit/license products and Thursday stocking closures. |
| Tellico-Citico / Green Cove Pond | No, where permit applies | Tellico-Citico permit can be required in addition to base license. |
| Reelfoot WMA use | Not always | Reelfoot Preservation Permit may be required unless an exception applies. |
| Commercial fishing | No | Commercial harvest requires commercial licensing and is outside recreational combo privileges. |
| Nonresident fishing | No | Nonresidents need nonresident fishing products, not the resident combo license. |
Combo License Cost Math What You Really Pay For
The license table lists the base Combination Hunt/Fish Annual at $33. Go Outdoors packages may show higher totals when optional durable card or processing fees are included. Always inspect the cart line items before payment.
Basic resident annual fishing
$33 baseCombo Hunt/Fish Annual. Good for resident annual fishing without trout and small-game base hunting.
Resident annual trout stack
$33 + $21 = $54Add Annual Trout Supplemental if fishing for trout with the combo license.
Annual Sportsman
$165All-inclusive state license for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without general state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits.
| Product / setup | Listed cost | Best for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | $33 | Resident adult fishing without trout and/or small-game hunting. | Assuming trout is included. |
| Annual Trout Supplemental | $21 | Resident trout anglers who already have eligible base license. | Forgetting to add it before fishing trout. |
| Combo + Trout | $54 | Resident annual trout fishing stack. | Ignoring special trout waters like Gatlinburg or Tellico-Citico. |
| 1-Day Fishing – No Trout | $6 | One simple resident non-trout trip. | Buying annual combo for one trip. |
| 1-Day Fishing – All Species | $11 | One-day resident trout trip. | Buying no-trout and then targeting trout. |
| Annual Sportsman | $165 | Resident who hunts, traps, fishes trout, and wants broad coverage. | Buying many supplements separately when Sportsman may be cleaner. |
Combo License + Trout: The Most Important Add-On
For anglers, trout is the main reason the combo license alone is not enough.
Combo alone does not cover trout
If you fish for trout, add Annual Trout Supplemental or use a one-day all-species license when appropriate.
Annual trout stack
For resident annual trout fishing, the practical stack is Combo Hunt/Fish Annual $33 + Annual Trout Supplemental $21.
Special trout waters
Gatlinburg and Tellico-Citico can require extra products or have special rules beyond the normal trout supplement.
Combo Hunt/Fish vs Annual Sportsman Which Is Smarter?
Do not compare only the price. Compare what you will actually do this year.
| Question | Combo Hunt/Fish Annual | Annual Sportsman |
|---|---|---|
| Base fishing without trout | Yes | Yes |
| Trout fishing | Needs Annual Trout Supplemental | Generally included under state supplemental coverage |
| Small-game hunting | Base coverage | Included |
| Big game hunting | Needs supplemental licenses | Broad state coverage |
| Trapping | Needs supplemental license | Broad state coverage |
| Waterfowl / migratory birds | Needs additional permits/licenses | Some state coverage, but federal and HIP/migratory requirements still matter |
| Best for | Anglers and light small-game users | Residents who hunt/trap/fish broadly |
| Listed cost | $33 base | $165 |
Combo License vs One-Day Fishing When Annual Is Overkill
The combo license is annual. That is great if you fish several times. It is wasteful if you only need one simple trip.
One-day no trout
Use 1-Day Fishing – No Trout if you are a resident taking one non-trout trip. Listed cost: $6.
One-day trout
Use 1-Day Fishing – All Species if you are a resident taking one trout trip. Listed cost: $11.
Annual combo
Choose combo when you will fish repeatedly, want annual proof, or may also hunt small game.
Nonresident Warning: Do Not Buy the Resident Combo License
The Tennessee combo hunt/fish license is a resident base product. Visitors should use visitor fishing options instead.
| Visitor situation | Common starting product | Important warning |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, no trout | 3-Day Fishing – No Trout $20 | Do not choose no-trout if trout may happen. |
| Weekend trout trip | 3-Day Fishing – All Species $40 | Visitor trout needs all-species. |
| Longer trip, no trout | 10-Day Fishing – No Trout $30 | Compare with annual if returning. |
| Longer trip with trout | 10-Day Fishing – All Species $61 | Special waters may still require extra permits. |
| Repeat visitor, no trout | Annual Fishing – No Trout $49 | Good for frequent non-trout visits. |
| Repeat visitor with trout | Annual Fishing – All Species $98 | Best visitor trout annual path. |
Small-Game Hunter Notes What Anglers Should Know
Some anglers buy combo because they may hunt small game too. That can be smart, but do not stretch it beyond what it covers.
Small-game base
The combo license is the annual base hunting/fishing combination license for Tennessee residents and is the minimum license for small-game hunting statewide.
Big game is different
Big game hunting can require supplemental licenses. Do not assume combo alone is enough for deer, turkey, elk, bear, or weapon-specific needs.
Public land can add permits
WMA permits and special area rules can apply. Access, season, method, quota, and safety rules are separate from the base license.
Special Permits That Can Still Apply Even With Combo
The combo license does not erase local water rules. Check these before fishing.
TWRA State Lakes
Some TWRA State Lakes require a daily or annual state lake fishing permit in addition to base license.
Gatlinburg trout waters
Gatlinburg has special trout products and streams are closed Thursdays due to stocking.
Tellico-Citico
Tellico-Citico permit can be required for Tellico River, Citico Creek, and Green Cove Pond where applicable.
Reelfoot
Reelfoot Preservation Permit may be required for many users unless an exception applies.
South Holston VA side
TN residents fishing the Virginia portion need South Holston Reservoir Supplemental.
Bedford / Lake Halford
Some specific waters have separate location permits. Check before assuming combo is enough.
How to Buy the Combo Hunt/Fish License Online Without Cart Mistakes
Buy only after you decide whether combo alone is enough.
Confirm Tennessee residency
Go Outdoors Tennessee may verify resident status through a Tennessee driver license or state-issued Tennessee photo ID. Do not choose resident combo if you are a visitor.
Decide no-trout vs trout
If you will fish trout, add Annual Trout Supplemental or choose a one-day all-species product for a one-day trout trip.
Check if Sportsman is better
If you hunt big game, waterfowl, trap, and fish trout, compare Annual Sportsman before stacking separate supplements.
Open official Go Outdoors Tennessee
Use the official portal, customer lookup, or license agent. New customers need a TWRA customer account, and a Social Security Number is required for U.S. citizens buying hunting or fishing licenses.
Open official portalReview package line items
Check whether the cart includes optional durable card, trout supplemental, special permit, processing fees, or a package you did not intend to buy.
Save legal proof
Save the email, screenshot the license, and keep a printed copy if you fish rural lakes, tailwaters, or places with weak service.
Proof, Reprints and Phone Display After You Buy
Do not rebuy a license just because you cannot find it.
| Problem | Best action | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Lost combo license | Use customer lookup and reprint active license. | Free online reprints are available through Go Outdoors Tennessee. |
| Need phone proof | Use electronic license copy or app/account access. | Electronic copy is legal, but screenshots help when signal drops. |
| Forgot login | Use name, DOB, last four SSN or customer lookup options. | Go Outdoors login help: 1-888-891-8972. |
| Need printed backup | Print from account or ask a license agent. | Keep it with tackle box, boat bag, or hunting pack. |
Fishing Rules Still Matter Combo Is Only the License Layer
A valid combo license does not make every fish, bait, method, water, season, or access point legal.
Waterbody exceptions
Statewide limits are only the starting point. Lakes, tailwaters, trout streams, and special waters can have different rules.
Measure before keeping
Use a measuring board for crappie, bass, walleye, striped bass, and trout waters with length rules.
Bait handling
Do not dump unused bait in water. Drain bait buckets on land or dispose of bait in the trash.
Inspection
Keep license proof available. TWRA officers can inspect license and compliance.
Do not move fish
Do not intentionally release live fish into public waters away from where they were harvested.
Tailwater safety
Check TVA or Corps generation before wading below dams. Low water can change fast.
Real Insider Tips for Combo Buyers Save Money and Avoid Wrong Coverage
These are the practical checks that make this article more useful than a simple fee list.
Buy combo when…
- You are a Tennessee resident adult.
- You will fish more than one or two times this year.
- You are not fishing for trout, or you know to add trout supplemental.
- You may also hunt small game.
- You want one annual base license instead of repeat one-day purchases.
Do not buy combo blindly when…
- You are a nonresident visitor.
- You only need one day of fishing.
- You are fishing trout and forgot the supplemental license.
- You are age 65+ and may qualify for senior products.
- You hunt big game, waterfowl, or trap enough that Sportsman may be better.
Checkout tricks
- Check if a package includes an optional durable card.
- Confirm whether trout supplemental is in the cart.
- Read expiration date because annual products are usually 365 days.
- Screenshot license before leaving home.
- Use customer lookup before creating a duplicate TWRA account.
Field-day checks
- Carry license proof and photo ID.
- Check the exact waterbody’s rules before keeping fish.
- Check tailwater generation before wading.
- Do not move live fish, baitfish, or bait water.
- Get private-property permission before fishing.
Related Tennessee Guides Contextual Internal Links
Use these only when the reader’s next question matches the topic. This keeps interlinking helpful instead of random.
Cost breakdown
Use when the reader wants exact resident, visitor, trout, senior, one-day, and permit math.
Tennessee fishing license costNo-trout license
Use when the reader wants to fish bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, or other non-trout species.
Fishing license no troutAll-species / trout
Use when trout is possible and the user must avoid no-trout mistakes.
All-species fishing licenseFishing permits
Use for Reelfoot, Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA lakes, Bedford, Lake Halford and special-water questions.
Tennessee fishing permitOfficial portal help
Use when the reader needs Go Outdoors login, customer lookup, purchase, reprint or account guidance.
Go Outdoors Tennessee guideLost license
Use when the user lost phone proof, email proof, printed proof, or needs a reprint.
Lost Tennessee fishing licenseElectronic proof
Use when the user asks whether phone proof is legal or how to show license offline.
Electronic fishing licenseTWRA online buying
Use when the user is ready to buy but needs the step-by-step portal path.
TWRA fishing licenseLicense agents
Use for in-person buying, county clerk, sporting goods stores, and what to bring.
Tennessee license agentsTWRA Contact, Map and Official Help For Combo License Questions
Use official contacts when residency, account lookup, disabled/senior/specialty licenses, hunting supplements, or reprints are unclear.
TWRA central office
5107 Edmondson Pike, Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN 37211
Main: 615-781-6500
Email: Ask.TWRA@tn.gov
License help
License Section & Agency Sales: 615-781-5270
Go Outdoors login help: 1-888-891-8972
Law enforcement
Law Enforcement Division: 615-781-6580
For local violations, use the correct regional hotline.
Regional hotlines
West TN: 1-800-831-1173
Middle TN: 1-800-255-8972
Cumberland Plateau: 1-833-402-4699
East TN: 1-800-831-1174
Regional offices
Region 1 Jackson: 731-423-5725
Region 2 Nashville: 615-781-6622
Region 3 Crossville: 931-484-9571
Region 4 Morristown: 423-587-7037
Best support path
For license line items, call license help. For rules on a specific water, use TWRA fishing regulations and regional offices.
Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish License FAQ
What is the Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish Annual license?
It is the annual resident base hunting and fishing combination license. It is commonly used as the resident annual fishing license without trout and as the base license for small-game hunting.
How much is the Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish Annual license?
The listed base fee is $33 before processing fees and optional extras. If a package shows a higher amount, check whether optional durable card or other items are included.
Does the combo license include trout?
No. Resident anglers fishing for trout usually need Annual Trout Supplemental in addition to the combo license, unless using a different product that already covers all species for the intended trip.
How much is combo plus trout?
The common resident annual trout stack is Combination Hunt/Fish Annual $33 plus Annual Trout Supplemental $21, for $54 before processing fees.
Is the combo license right for bass, crappie or catfish?
Yes, for a Tennessee resident adult fishing statewide for non-trout species, the combo license is usually the normal annual base license, unless a special water permit applies.
Should I buy combo if I only fish one day?
Usually no. A resident one-day no-trout license is $6, and a resident one-day all-species license is $11. Combo is better when you will fish repeatedly or also want small-game base hunting.
Can nonresidents buy the Tennessee combo hunt/fish license?
The standard Combination Hunt/Fish Annual discussed here is a resident product. Nonresidents should use nonresident 3-day, 10-day, annual no-trout, or all-species products.
Does combo include big game hunting?
Not by itself. Big game hunting can require supplemental licenses depending on the species, season, weapon, and location.
Is Sportsman better than combo?
Sportsman may be better if you hunt, trap, and fish broadly and would otherwise buy several supplements. Combo is usually better for anglers and light small-game users.
Does combo cover Gatlinburg trout waters?
Not automatically. Gatlinburg has special trout license/permit rules and streams are closed Thursdays due to stocking.
Can I show the combo license on my phone?
Yes. The electronic license copy is legal. Save a screenshot and consider printing a backup before low-signal trips.
Where do I buy or reprint the combo license?
Use the official Go Outdoors Tennessee portal, customer lookup, a license agent, or TWRA support. Free online reprints are available for active licenses.
Final Practical Advice
The Tennessee Combo Hunt/Fish Annual license is a strong base license for resident anglers who fish without trout and may also hunt small game. It is not an all-inclusive license.
Best path: decide resident status → decide annual vs one-day → decide trout or no trout → check special water permits → compare Sportsman if you hunt broadly → buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee → save proof → check waterbody rules before fishing.