At what age do you need a fishing license in Tennessee?
Children 12 and younger do not need a regular fishing license. Ages 13–15 generally need a junior license, anglers 16–64 use applicable adult licenses, and Tennessee residents become eligible for discounted senior licenses on their 65th birthday.
The important exception: your age may remove the regular license requirement without removing special-water permits, fishing limits or other local restrictions.
Check your age and licenseTennessee fishing license age chart
The normal recreational age requirement is the same for Tennessee residents and visitors, but the junior and adult products have different prices. Residents also have senior and special-status options.
| Age or situation | Resident requirement | Nonresident requirement | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth through age 12 | No regular fishing license | No regular fishing license | Some special permits and fishery regulations may still apply. |
| 13–15 | Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap, $9 | Annual Junior Hunt/Fish, $10 on the previously published junior schedule; verify current checkout | Junior eligibility ends at the 16th birthday. |
| 16–64 | Adult products; common annual combo $33 | Adult nonresident fishing product based on trip length and trout | Trout and special-water permissions may change the total. |
| 65–69 | Eligible for resident senior products | Normal nonresident rules unless another exemption qualifies | Age alone does not make visiting seniors license-exempt. |
| 70 and older | Senior licensing generally still applies | Normal nonresident rules unless exempt | Tennessee does not universally waive recreational fishing licenses at age 70. |
| TN resident born before March 1, 1926 | Regular license exemption | Not a general nonresident exemption | Carry proof of Tennessee residency and birth date. |
For the broader fee and license framework, see this site’s Tennessee fishing license guide.
Which license category fits your age?
This tool identifies the ordinary age-based starting point. It is not an official eligibility determination; special permits, residency exemptions and checkout charges may apply.
Kids 12 and younger: what does fishing without a license actually mean?
What a child can do
No regular licenseA child who has not turned 13 can generally fish Tennessee public waters without purchasing an ordinary recreational fishing license, regardless of whether the child lives in Tennessee or is visiting.
The child must still follow the applicable seasons, catch limits, size limits, bait restrictions and protected-species rules.
What the accompanying adult should know
Watching or supervising a child is different from actively fishing. An adult who casts, handles a second rod, takes fish or otherwise participates in fishing should have the license or exemption required for that activity.
If the child is fishing a special-permit water, check the specific site instead of relying on the statewide under-13 exemption.
Child turns 13 during the vacation?
The child stops qualifying for the normal under-13 exemption on their 13th birthday. If the family will fish after that date, arrange the appropriate junior license before the first post-birthday outing.
Age 13–15: the junior fishing license is the important purchase
Resident teenager
$9TWRA’s listed Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license covers resident ages 13–15. It supplies junior sport-fishing privileges and must be purchased before the 16th birthday.
Nonresident teenager
Junior productVisiting teens ages 13–15 use TWRA’s nonresident Annual Junior Hunt/Fish Combination product. Confirm its displayed price in Go Outdoors Tennessee, rather than buying an adult vacation license unnecessarily.
What happens at age 16?
Age 16 is the ordinary changeover to adult license requirements. A parent planning a birthday trip should check which product is valid on the actual fishing date, especially if buying in advance.
Adults 16–64: Tennessee does not have one universal fishing price
Resident annual
$33 combination Hunt/Fish annual, with trout supplemental if needed.
Resident one day
$6 without trout; $11 all species, including trout.
Resident county
$10 county-of-residence no-trout option, restricted to natural bait, excluding minnows and artificial lures.
Visitor adult
Choose the correct nonresident 3-day, 10-day or annual product, with or without trout.
Resident trout fishing normally requires the applicable $21 annual trout supplemental with a qualifying base license, unless the purchased product already includes trout privileges. These are listed license fees before applicable processing charges.
For resident-specific proof, county-license and trout decisions, see the Tennessee resident fishing license walkthrough.
Senior fishing licenses: the discount starts at age 65, not 60 or 70
Tennessee residents become eligible for the senior license category on their 65th birthday. The state does not automatically make every senior license-free simply because the person is 65, 70 or 80 years old.
Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap
$4An annual option for eligible Tennessee residents age 65 or older. TWRA lists no ordinary state supplemental-license requirement, although certain location or other permit charges may remain.
Good fit: Someone who wants the lowest initial senior license cost.
Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap
$49A permanent senior license purchased after turning 65. TWRA requires Tennessee residency and age documentation.
Good fit: A resident who prefers a one-time purchase over repeated annual renewals.
Can a visiting senior get the $4 license?
Not merely by turning 65. The ordinary $4 senior and $49 permanent senior options depend on Tennessee resident eligibility. Nonresident seniors should use the appropriate nonresident license unless a separate, specific exemption or eligibility category applies.
What identification should a senior prepare?
TWRA lists a valid Tennessee driver license or other proof of Tennessee residency and age. Have the information ready before opening the official application or visiting a license agent.
License exemptions depend on more than age
| Situation | Potential exemption | Practical check |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Regular recreational fishing license not required | Check special permits and water-specific rules. |
| Tennessee resident born before March 1, 1926 | Exempt from regular license | Carry age and residency evidence. |
| Qualifying resident farmland owner or family member | Farmland exemption may apply | Check ownership, residence, relationship and correct TWRA exemption form. |
| Qualifying resident farm tenant and dependents | Farmland tenancy exemption may apply | The tenancy must meet TWRA agricultural conditions. |
| Qualifying military member on leave | Military exemption may apply | Carry leave orders; a pass is not equivalent. |
| Qualifying disabled resident or disabled veteran | Special reduced-cost/permanent license | Use the application and certification appropriate to the category. |
| Nonresident born in Tennessee | Native Tennessean resident-rate annual license route | Initial application required; it is not blanket license-free fishing. |
TWRA’s official license and exemption page explains the categories. Before relying on an exemption, identify the exact qualifying paragraph, check required documents, and confirm whether the particular water needs another permit.
Four fishing destinations where age alone does not answer the permit question
TWRA State Fishing Lakes
Residents ages 16–64 and nonresidents age 16+ generally need the additional TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit on applicable TWRA lakes. Children under 16 and residents 65+ are exempt from that lake permit, but teens ages 13–15 still need the applicable junior base license.
Exception worth knowing: TWRA specifically excludes Garrett and Whiteville lakes from the general additional State Lake permit rule.
Gatlinburg trout waters
Gatlinburg offers separate one-day trout licensing and supplemental trout permits. TWRA lists the one-day Gatlinburg Trout License as a standalone one-day option for residents and nonresidents.
Gatlinburg streams have Thursday stocking closures under the published guidance. Check the actual stream and opening schedule before travel.
Tellico River and Citico Creek
TWRA lists a special daily Tellico-Citico permit, with its own season and applicability. This is a particularly important destination to check when taking a child, because the agency lists a permit applying across ages.
Do not purchase based only on the general under-13 exemption.
Reelfoot WMA and Lake Halford
Reelfoot Preservation Permit exceptions include those under 16, residents 65+, and qualifying Sportsman license holders. Lake Halford also has area-use permits with age-related exemptions.
Distinguish the base fishing license, area-use permit and fishing regulations.
How to buy the right license for your child, teen or senior
- Confirm the angler’s age on the fishing date. A child turning 13 or 16 during a trip may cross into a different licensing category.
- Confirm Tennessee residency. Do not choose a resident senior or junior product for a visitor unless the customer meets a specific qualifying provision.
- Identify trout and special-water plans. Check Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA State Lakes, Reelfoot, Lake Halford and border waters separately.
- Open the TWRA fee and eligibility page. Find the exact junior, adult, senior or specialty license and read any restrictions.
- Visit Go Outdoors Tennessee, the state-authorized purchasing portal. Sign in or create the correct customer profile.
- Review the checkout. Confirm age, eligibility, water permits, effective dates, 365-day validity where applicable, and final processing fees.
- Keep proof available. Print or save the valid license through the official system and keep necessary documents for a senior or specialty exemption.
- Confirm the legal fishing rules. Use the current TWRA fishing regulations to check the exact lake, stream, trout rule, season and harvest limits.
Need help finding a customer record, buying for a family member or reprinting a license? The site’s Go Outdoors Tennessee account and purchase guide covers those practical steps.
Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week: another age-based opportunity
2026 dates — already passed
June 6, 2026: Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day let residents and visitors of any age fish Tennessee public waters without a normal fishing license.
June 6–12, 2026: The extended free fishing week was available to youth age 15 and younger.
Next announced dates
June 12, 2027: TWRA lists the next Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day.
June 12–18, 2027: The announced youth Free Fishing Week covers children age 15 and younger.
Private pay-lake charges and other location conditions can still apply.
When a lifetime or disability license is better than an ordinary annual license
TWRA offers application-based products that can materially change the long-term cost for eligible Tennessee residents. The Lifetime Sportsman License is different from the lower-cost Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap License and from restricted disability licenses.
| Lifetime Sportsman age at application | Listed fee | What families should know |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | $320 | Resident-parent or guardian documentation rules apply. |
| 3–6 | $659 | Long-term option for an eligible Tennessee child. |
| 7–12 | $988 | Compare against the child’s future junior and adult needs. |
| 13–50 | $1,976 | Provides broader Sportsman privileges, not just fishing. |
| 51–64 | $1,153 | Higher upfront cost than ordinary annual fishing. |
| 65+ | $329 | Compare carefully with the $4 annual or $49 permanent senior product. |
Applicants for the Lifetime Sportsman License generally need 12 months of qualifying continuous Tennessee residency. For a child under 3, the qualifying parent or guardian residency rule applies. The application requires identity and other supporting documents before TWRA approves it.
Special disability and military options
TWRA provides specialized application routes for qualifying blind anglers, wheelchair-restricted residents, certain disabled veterans and other eligible applicants. Some are permanent restricted licenses and may require medical or government certification. They should not be confused with Lifetime Sportsman privileges.
Qualifying active Tennessee National Guard members may also be eligible for the no-cost National Guard Sportsman License through the separate application process.
For a special license, open the official TWRA applications and license information, locate the exact qualifying category, review documents and submission instructions, and wait for agency eligibility review before relying on the privilege.
Three birthday scenarios that can prevent a wrong license purchase
Turns 13 tomorrow
A child fishing today at age 12 ordinarily needs no regular license. For a trip beginning after the birthday, arrange the junior product first.
Turns 16 next week
Check adult eligibility and the planned fishing dates. A license sold specifically for ages 13–15 must be purchased before the 16th birthday.
Turns 65 this month
The resident senior product becomes purchasable when the angler reaches the 65th birthday, not simply because it is their birthday year.
Existing license still valid
TWRA says most annual licenses remain valid 365 days from purchase. Check the actual printed expiration and the current privileges before replacing them.
What might a family actually pay?
These examples use the listed base license prices. They exclude processing fees, optional access charges and any special permits the actual fishing water requires.
| Fishing group | Ordinary product mix | Listed base total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident parent 35 + resident child 10, one day without trout | One resident $6 day license; child exempt | $6 |
| Resident parent 35 + resident teen 14, annual non-trout fishing | $33 resident combo + $9 resident junior | $42 |
| Two resident seniors age 65+, annual senior licenses | Two $4 annual senior products | $8 |
| Visiting adult + visiting child 11, three days without trout | One $20 nonresident three-day license; child exempt | $20 |
| Visiting adult + teen 14, normal annual fishing | $49 nonresident adult no-trout + $10 junior | $59 |
These examples assume ordinary fishing and no special exemption. For junior pricing or pending fee changes, confirm the active TWRA portal before checkout.
A Tennessee family fishing checklist
Licensing and permission
- Check each angler’s age on the actual fishing day.
- Confirm resident versus nonresident eligibility.
- Verify junior, adult or senior products.
- Check whether trout privileges are included.
- Identify any TWRA lake, Gatlinburg or other special permit.
- Have needed ID or exemption documents available.
Water and fishing rules
- Check the lake or river’s specific regulation.
- Confirm applicable fish harvest limits.
- Review bait and lure restrictions.
- Check stocking closures on trout waters.
- Check tailwater generation if fishing below a dam.
- Confirm entrance charges or access conditions.
Tennessee fishing license age FAQs
At what age do you need a fishing license in Tennessee?
A regular fishing license is generally required beginning at age 13. Tennessee residents and nonresidents age 12 and younger are exempt from the regular license requirement, although special permits or water-specific rules may still apply.
Does a 12-year-old need a Tennessee fishing license?
No. A 12-year-old resident or nonresident does not ordinarily need a regular Tennessee recreational fishing license. The child must still obey applicable fishing regulations and any qualifying special-permit requirements.
What fishing license does a 14-year-old need in Tennessee?
A Tennessee resident age 14 generally uses the $9 Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license. A nonresident age 14 uses the applicable nonresident junior Hunt/Fish Combination. Confirm the current displayed fee with TWRA before checkout.
Does a 16-year-old need an adult Tennessee fishing license?
Yes. The ordinary adult licensing category begins at 16. The correct product depends on residency, fishing duration, trout and special-water requirements.
At what age do Tennessee residents qualify for a senior fishing license?
At age 65. An eligible Tennessee resident may purchase the Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license or the Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license when they reach their 65th birthday.
Is fishing free in Tennessee after age 65?
No. Turning 65 generally makes an eligible Tennessee resident qualified for reduced-price senior licenses rather than automatically waiving the regular licensing requirement. A separate grandfathered exemption applies to residents born before March 1, 1926.
How much does a Tennessee senior fishing license cost?
TWRA’s listed prices are $4 for the annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license and $49 for the Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license, before applicable processing charges. Current checkout pricing controls.
Do nonresident seniors get Tennessee resident senior prices?
Not automatically. Tennessee’s ordinary senior license products require qualifying Tennessee residency. Visiting anglers generally need the appropriate nonresident license unless another specific exemption or eligibility route applies.
Can kids fish free during Tennessee Free Fishing Week?
Yes. TWRA’s announced 2027 Free Fishing Week is June 12–18 for youth age 15 and younger. The designated Free Fishing Day on June 12, 2027, is open to people of all ages. Normal fishing regulations and some private access charges still apply.
Do children need a permit at TWRA State Fishing Lakes?
TWRA’s normal additional State Lake Fishing Permit does not apply to anglers under 16. However, anglers ages 13–15 still generally need their junior base license, and some other special waters have separate permit requirements.
What to do next
First confirm each angler’s age and residency. Then identify trout and special-water requirements. Once the correct product is clear, purchase through TWRA’s state-authorized portal rather than a third-party payment page.
Open Official Tennessee License PortalTennesseeFishingLicense.website is an independent information resource, not TWRA. TWRA regulations, permit conditions, current prices and emergency orders control. Verify the requirements for your exact fishing date and destination.