Fishing a Tennessee Wildlife Management Area? Start with the water—not a hunting permit.
A regular Tennessee fishing license is usually the starting point for recreational fishing on a WMA. But Reelfoot WMA, TWRA agency fishing lakes, Lake Halford and some restricted-access areas have additional requirements that change the answer.
A WMA permit and a WMA fishing license are not the same thing
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) uses the term WMA permit mainly for hunting activities, including small game, waterfowl and big game. That hunting permit is not automatically required just because you are fishing from a WMA shoreline.
Use the fishing license appropriate for your age, residency and species. Check that the WMA is open to fishing.
A daily agency lake permit may be required in addition to your regular fishing license.
Many visitors need the separate Reelfoot Preservation Permit, even when they already hold a fishing license.
A WMA fishing closure or restricted area cannot be reopened by purchasing extra licenses.
Four separate checks—not one statewide WMA fee
Identify the water
Are you fishing an ordinary stream, TWRA agency lake, Reelfoot Lake/WMA, Lake Halford or another designated water?
Confirm fishing coverage
Choose a valid Tennessee license, including trout privileges when trout is the target.
Check special permits
Look for a lake permit, Reelfoot Preservation Permit or a separate location-specific use permit.
Verify access
Confirm opening hours, hunt-related closures, gated roads, boat rules and any special fishing limit.
What might you need for your WMA fishing trip?
Select your situation to see the likely fishing license and any extra permit to verify. The result is a planning guide; TWRA’s current individual WMA rules and licensing system control.
Tennessee WMA fishing-related permits and prices
This table separates fishing permits from hunting or recreational riding permits. Prices below are listed agency amounts before applicable processing fees.
| Permit / license | Listed fee | Applies to | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWRA Lake Fishing Permit – Daily | $6 | One day at participating TWRA agency fishing lakes. | Does not replace a required fishing license. |
| TWRA Lake Fishing Permit – Annual | $48 | Eligible use at participating TWRA agency fishing lakes. | Does not automatically cover a separately designated Lake Halford permit. |
| Reelfoot Preservation Permit – 1 Day | $3 | Covered recreational use of Reelfoot WMA. | Does not replace the fishing license. |
| Reelfoot Preservation Permit – 3 Day | $10 | Three-day Reelfoot preservation product. | Not a statewide WMA permit. |
| Reelfoot Preservation Permit – Annual | $16 | Frequent Reelfoot WMA users. | Not a general fishing license. |
| Lake Halford – 1 Day Permit | $6 | Required recreational use of Lake Halford for nonexempt users. | Not interchangeable with a general WMA hunting permit. |
| Lake Halford – Annual Permit | $48 | Regular users of the Lake Halford area. | Does not replace the appropriate fishing license. |
| WMA Small Game Only | $20 | Qualified WMA small-game hunting. | Not required just for ordinary fishing. |
| WMA Small Game / Waterfowl | $61 | Applicable WMA hunting activities. | Not an ordinary WMA fishing permit. |
| WMA Small Game / Waterfowl – 1 Day | $12 | Applicable one-day WMA hunting. | Does not replace fishing coverage or a lake permit. |
| High Impact Habitat Conservation – Resident Daily / Annual | $15 / $73 | Permitted OHV, bicycle and horseback activities on designated WMAs, subject to exemptions. | Not a basic fishing permit. |
| High Impact Habitat Conservation – Nonresident Daily / Annual | $37 / $232 | Permitted recreational riding on designated WMAs, subject to exemptions. | Does not authorize riding where the activity is prohibited. |
For resident versus nonresident fishing-license pricing, see the published Tennessee fishing license cost guide. It compares base licenses, visitor durations, senior options, trout supplements and final-cart considerations.
Reelfoot WMA: the preservation permit matters more than the hunting WMA permit
Reelfoot is a particularly important exception because its regulation says that no ordinary WMA hunting permit is required for the area, while a Reelfoot Preservation Permit is required for covered hunting, trapping, fishing and boating use.
Who does not need the Reelfoot Preservation Permit?
Under 16
Youth under 16 are exempt from the Reelfoot Preservation Permit. Ages 13–15 still generally need the appropriate junior fishing license.
Tennessee age 65+
Tennessee residents age 65 and older are exempt from the preservation permit but still need appropriate fishing-license coverage unless separately exempt.
Qualifying holders
TWRA exempts qualifying Sportsman and Lifetime Sportsman license holders from this preservation permit.
Fishing and boating restrictions to know
- Reelfoot WMA generally operates during daylight hours, with specific activity and hunting-season rules.
- The WMA farm pond is closed to fishing from sunset to sunrise.
- TWRA prohibits gasoline-powered boats in certain posted areas of Reelfoot Lake from April 1 through May 31.
- Fishing rules, species limits and public access restrictions still apply when the preservation permit is purchased.
How to check before entering Reelfoot
- Open the official Reelfoot WMA page.
- Read the special-use paragraph and identify whether your intended fishing location is within the regulated area.
- Check your age, residency and Sportsman exemption.
- Buy the appropriate preservation product through TWRA if required.
- Confirm that the intended access or boating area is open on the visit date.
A TWRA lake inside a WMA may need a separate permit even when the river beside it does not
The word “WMA” describes managed public land. The phrase TWRA Family Fishing Lake identifies a specific agency fishing-lake program that can carry its own lake permit, operating hours and fish limits.
Who is exempt from the usual TWRA agency lake permit?
Children under 16
The lake permit is not required. Ages 13–15 generally need a Junior Hunt/Fish license; ages 12 and younger do not need the ordinary fishing license.
Resident seniors 65+
No regular TWRA lake permit is needed, but senior fishing-license coverage still applies unless another exemption is established.
Sportsman / Lifetime
Qualifying Annual Sportsman and Lifetime Sportsman license holders are exempt from the standard TWRA agency lake fishing permit.
Visit TWRA Family Fishing Lakes, find the intended lake in the directory and review its facilities, lake-specific size limits, fishing hours and permit note. Do not assume one lake’s boat or bait rule applies to all lakes.
Daily versus annual TWRA lake permits
$6 per fishing day
A TWRA Lake Fishing Permit for one day makes sense when you visit an eligible agency lake infrequently.
Example: Four separate lake visits at the listed daily rate total $24 before processing charges.
$48 annual lake permit
Eight daily permits total the same listed $48 price as the annual TWRA lake permit. Beyond that point, an annual permit may be more economical.
Important: Compare the final checkout, permit validity dates and lake exclusions rather than relying only on base-price arithmetic.
Four WMAs where the local fishing rules change the trip
Laurel Hill WMA
Lawrence County · Middle Tennessee
Laurel Hill contains both TWRA agency lakes and a flowing river, making it an especially good example of why water type determines the permit.
- Laurel Hill Lake: 325 acres; TWRA lake permit applies to covered anglers.
- VFW Lake: 22 acres; the lake permit requirement also applies.
- Little Buffalo River: an appropriate fishing license is required, but the river is not automatically covered by the agency-lake permit rule.
- Trout access: TWRA lists periodic stocking at Finnie Road, Burns Bottoms Road, CC Road and Laurel Hill Road low-water crossings during the spring schedule.
- Access: TWRA lists no night fishing or riverside camping; lake hours are more restrictive than the generic agency-lake schedule.
Williamsport WMA
Maury County · Middle Tennessee
Williamsport has four fishing lakes and special management intended to protect larger fish. A basic statewide bass limit is not enough to plan a harvest here.
- Blue Cat Lake: approximately 80 acres.
- Shellcracker Lake: approximately 46 acres.
- Goldeneye Lake: approximately 13 acres.
- Whippoorwill Lake: approximately 25 acres; youth age 16 and under and an accompanying adult may fish.
- Largemouth bass: one per day with a 20-inch minimum under the listed Williamsport lake regulations.
- Closed ponds: Egret and Heron wetland ponds are closed to fishing.
Catoosa WMA
Cumberland Plateau · Region 3
Catoosa has a critical season-dependent access rule that can make an otherwise legal fishing trip impossible.
- TWRA’s 2026–27 fishing update says streams and ponds are open to fishing except during deer hunts and wild hog control seasons.
- Its WMA page also describes temporary general closures and gated access periods.
- Some authorized fishing access during turkey season is treated separately from deer or hog-control closures.
- OHV, bicycle and horseback activities have additional restrictions and may require a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.
Reelfoot WMA
Lake and Obion counties · West Tennessee
Reelfoot is a special-use area where the Reelfoot Preservation Permit applies to covered fishing and boating activity.
- Entrance example: Ernie Pierce Road, reached from Highway 78 northeast of Tiptonville.
- Permit: one day $3, three days $10, annual $16, with specific exemptions.
- Fishing access: WMA generally opens during daylight hours, subject to refuge and season rules.
- Boating: gasoline-powered boats are prohibited in TWRA-posted areas from April 1 through May 31.
- Harvest rules: check the Reelfoot Lake species-specific regulations before keeping fish.
A fishing license does not guarantee the road, ramp or shore is open
Hunts and control periods
Some WMAs close all or part of the area during quota deer hunts, wild hog control or other managed periods. Fishing may be prohibited during those closures.
Daylight and entry times
WMAs may have fixed opening hours, restricted gates and different seasonal entry conditions. Do not assume year-round vehicle access.
Separate activity rules
Fishing access does not necessarily authorize a gas motor, nighttime boating, off-road driving, horseback riding, swimming or camping.
High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit: when it matters
This is a recreational riding permit, not an automatic charge for walking to a bank-fishing spot. TWRA uses it for qualifying off-highway vehicle, bicycle and hooved-animal activities on specifically designated WMAs.
- Some qualifying hunting-license and WMA-permit combinations can satisfy the riding authorization instead.
- Youth under 13 have a specified exemption under the standard High Impact program.
- Only designated WMAs and permitted roads or trails are involved.
- North Cumberland has its own separate OHV riding program, including different permit prices and requirements; an Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license alone does not provide North Cumberland OHV riding privileges.
Not every refuge is governed by the same WMA permit rule
Tennessee contains TWRA wildlife management areas, state parks, public hunting areas, national wildlife refuges and other federal lands. Their boundaries can meet or overlap around a reservoir, river or wetland.
Reelfoot refuge-connected waters
TWRA’s preservation permit rule expressly identifies covered parts of the Reelfoot WMA and certain associated refuge, washout and tailwater locations. Use the official boundary description before fishing.
National wildlife refuges elsewhere
A TWRA hunting permit or refuge hunting permit should not be assumed to be a general fishing-access pass. Review the applicable U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge fishing rules for the specific location.
Your base Tennessee fishing license still matters
Before adding any WMA-related special permit, make sure you hold the correct recreational fishing license. Tennessee distinguishes residents, nonresidents, juniors, seniors and anglers who need trout coverage.
| Angler | Common product | Base price | WMA fishing consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee resident adult 16–64 | Combination Hunt/Fish Annual | $33 | Regular non-trout fishing; add a special lake or preservation permit when required. |
| Resident adult, one-day non-trout fishing | 1-Day Fishing – No Trout | $6 | Choose before adding a required daily lake permit. |
| Resident youth age 13–15 | Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap | $9 | Usually exempt from TWRA agency lake and Reelfoot preservation permits. |
| Resident senior 65+ | Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap | $4 | Exempt from standard TWRA lake permit and Reelfoot preservation permit. |
| Nonresident adult, short visit | 3-Day Fishing – No Trout | $20 | Extra lake or preservation permit may still apply. |
| Nonresident adult, frequent visits | Annual Fishing – No Trout | $49 | Ordinary non-trout coverage; special area permit is separate. |
| Nonresident angler targeting trout | Fishing – All Species | Depends on duration | Trout included, but local fishing/access permits still require checking. |
For age exemptions, residence eligibility, renewal, reprinting and complete license choices, use the published Tennessee fishing license guide.
Fishing a stocked WMA stream for trout changes the license requirement
Laurel Hill’s Little Buffalo River illustrates a different kind of add-on: trout privilege rather than a TWRA lake permit. When the target species is trout, a license labeled “No Trout” is not sufficient merely because the stream lies on public WMA land.
Combination Hunt/Fish Annual plus Annual Trout Supplemental is a common resident adult trout setup.
A visitor targeting trout generally chooses the appropriate all-species fishing duration instead of a no-trout product.
Learn the resident and visitor trout coverage options in the already published Tennessee all-species fishing license guide.
WMA fishing limits can be more restrictive than statewide rules
At Williamsport’s managed lakes, TWRA publishes a largemouth bass limit of one per day with a 20-inch minimum, plus distinct crappie, panfish, catfish and hybrid striped bass limits. The fishing-lake regulations therefore matter even after the correct license and permit are purchased.
Williamsport bass
1 per day20-inch minimum for largemouth bass under Williamsport’s special lake rules.
Williamsport crappie
15 per day10-inch minimum length for all crappie species combined.
Williamsport catfish
5 per day14-inch minimum for blue/channel catfish combined.
Find a Tennessee WMA and check its fishing access
TWRA’s WMA map and regional directory are more useful than a generic statewide map pin because WMAs contain many different roads, gate points, internal units, ponds and waters.
Use the official Tennessee WMA page to find the interactive map and regional WMA listings.
Region 1 covers West Tennessee; Region 2 covers Middle Tennessee; Region 3 covers the Cumberland Plateau; Region 4 covers East Tennessee.
Look for the named fishing lake or stream, seasonal restrictions, closed roads, hunting dates and listed special-use rules.
A WMA land-management page and a TWRA lake-management page can contain different kinds of information. Check both before a lake trip.
TWRA says its WMA maps are approximate guidance and are not legal property-boundary surveys. Stay on authorized roads and respect posted access restrictions.
How to buy a Tennessee WMA-related fishing permit online
Decide whether you need a normal fishing license, TWRA Lake Fishing Permit, Reelfoot Preservation Permit, Lake Halford Permit or another location-specific product.
Use Go Outdoors Tennessee for official purchase, account access and reprinting.
Use the existing TWRA customer information when available. Confirm your correct name, date of birth and residency.
Check whether the intended species requires trout coverage. Do not buy a WMA small-game hunting permit instead of a fishing license.
For example, a Reelfoot Preservation Permit or a daily TWRA Lake Fishing Permit, subject to exemptions. Read the named product carefully.
Most annual products follow the 365-day rule, but the individual item in the cart controls. Check the final price before submitting payment.
Keep the active fishing license and any required permit accessible for TWRA inspection. Use the account reprint option or electronic proof provided by the official system.
For a deeper look at trout, Reelfoot, agency lake, Gatlinburg and other special-permit product distinctions, see the published Tennessee fishing permit guide.
What the correct permit stack looks like in real situations
Resident adult fishing bass at Laurel Hill Lake
Likely setup: Valid resident fishing license plus a TWRA agency lake permit. Using the common $33 resident annual base and $6 daily lake permit produces $39 in listed product fees, before processing.
Nonresident adult fishing Reelfoot WMA for one day
Likely setup: Appropriate nonresident fishing license plus the $3 Reelfoot Preservation Permit. A 3-day nonresident no-trout license is listed at $20, although the fishing-license duration may exceed the single-day Reelfoot visit.
Resident senior age 67 fishing a TWRA agency lake
Likely setup: Eligible senior fishing license. A Tennessee resident age 65+ is exempt from the normal TWRA Lake Fishing Permit.
Resident youth age 14 fishing Williamsport
Likely setup: Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license, currently listed at $9. The standard TWRA lake permit is not required below age 16. For Whippoorwill, confirm the youth-and-accompanying-adult rule.
Licensed angler visiting Catoosa during a closed deer hunt
Correct action: Do not fish the closed area. A fishing license, lake permit or WMA hunting permit does not override Catoosa’s hunt-period closure.
Fees are not access guarantees
Check land boundaries, activity permission and date restrictions before buying. If an activity is prohibited at the selected WMA, purchasing a different permit does not make it lawful.
Youth, seniors, Sportsman holders and Free Fishing Day
Age 12 and younger
No standard Tennessee fishing license is normally required. Special products explicitly required for all ages and individual access restrictions still must be checked.
Ages 13–15
A junior fishing product is generally required. The usual TWRA agency lake permit and Reelfoot Preservation Permit are not required for this age group.
Resident age 65+
Eligible resident seniors do not need the usual TWRA agency lake permit or Reelfoot Preservation Permit. Appropriate fishing-license coverage is still necessary.
Annual / Lifetime Sportsman
Qualifying holders are exempt from standard TWRA lake fishing permits and the Reelfoot preservation requirement, but not every federal, restricted-area or OHV program requirement.
Free Fishing Day
Tennessee’s 2026 Free Fishing Day was June 6 and has passed. TWRA currently lists June 12, 2027 for the next Free Fishing Day.
Access remains controlled
A license exemption does not cancel fishing closures, individual lake regulations, private-property restrictions or prohibited-use signs.
Before driving to a Tennessee WMA fishing spot
- Identify the exact WMA name, fishing lake or river section.
- Confirm whether the site is a TWRA Family Fishing Lake rather than an ordinary WMA stream.
- Check the WMA’s current hunting schedule and all-user closures.
- Choose the correct resident, nonresident, junior, senior or trout-inclusive fishing license.
- Check exemptions before buying a TWRA lake permit or Reelfoot Preservation Permit.
- If visiting Lake Halford, verify the lake-specific recreational-use permit.
- Check that intended vehicle, bicycle, horseback or OHV access is actually allowed.
- Review the exact waterbody’s species limits, minimum lengths and bait restrictions.
- Check opening hours and whether a gate or road could be closed.
- Save license proof, permit proof and access directions before leaving home.
Tennessee WMA fishing license FAQs
Do I need a WMA permit just to fish in Tennessee?
Generally, no separate WMA hunting permit is required solely for ordinary recreational fishing. You need the appropriate fishing license and must follow the individual WMA’s fishing and access rules. Special locations such as Reelfoot WMA and TWRA agency lakes can require additional fishing-related permits.
Does a Tennessee WMA Small Game Permit cover fishing?
No. A WMA Small Game Permit is a hunting permit, not a substitute for the required recreational fishing license or a special lake/preservation permit. Purchase it only if the intended hunting activity requires it.
How much does the TWRA Lake Fishing Permit cost?
TWRA lists a daily lake fishing permit at $6 and an annual permit at $48 for participating agency fishing lakes. The permit is additional to the fishing license and has age, resident-senior and Sportsman exemptions.
Is a fishing permit required at Reelfoot WMA?
Most covered Reelfoot WMA users need a Reelfoot Preservation Permit in addition to their fishing license. TWRA lists $3 for one day, $10 for three days and $16 annually. Youth under 16, Tennessee residents 65 or older and qualifying Sportsman license holders are exempt.
Do Tennessee residents age 65 or older need a TWRA lake permit?
No. Tennessee residents age 65 or older are exempt from the usual TWRA agency lake fishing permit, although they still need appropriate fishing-license coverage unless another exemption applies.
Does a child need a WMA fishing permit in Tennessee?
Children under 13 generally do not need a standard fishing license; ages 13–15 generally need a junior license. Anglers under age 16 are exempt from the standard TWRA lake permit and Reelfoot Preservation Permit, but local fishing and access restrictions still apply.
Can I fish Catoosa WMA during deer hunts?
TWRA’s 2026–27 fishing update states that Catoosa streams and ponds are open except during deer hunts and wild hog control seasons. Review the current Catoosa WMA schedule and access restrictions before visiting; a fishing license does not override a closure.
Do I need a TWRA lake permit at Garrett or Whiteville Lake?
No. TWRA identifies Garrett and Whiteville as two agency fishing lakes that do not require the usual TWRA Lake Fishing Permit. Appropriate fishing-license coverage and each lake’s fishing rules still apply.
Is a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit needed for bank fishing?
Not automatically. The High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is associated with qualifying OHV, bicycling and horseback activities on designated WMAs, rather than ordinary walk-in bank fishing. Check the individual WMA for authorized routes, activity restrictions and exemptions.
Can I buy Tennessee WMA-related fishing permits online?
Yes. TWRA sells eligible fishing licenses, TWRA lake fishing permits, Reelfoot Preservation Permits and other products through the official Go Outdoors Tennessee system. Check eligibility, product dates and processing fees before completing payment.