Tennessee Fishing License Guide: Online, Cost & Rules
A Tennessee fishing license is not always one simple purchase. Residents, nonresidents, youth, seniors, trout anglers, Gatlinburg anglers, South Holston anglers, TWRA lake users, and short-trip visitors may need different licenses or permits. This guide explains 2026 Tennessee fishing license costs, how to buy or print through Go Outdoors Tennessee, what license covers trout, who needs a license, when Free Fishing Day applies, and which special permits to check before fishing public waters, state parks, TWRA family fishing lakes, mountain trout streams, reservoirs, or private waters.
Watch Before You Buy: TWRA On The Go App
TWRA’s mobile tools are useful because they connect license buying, license storage, fishing information, regulations and outdoor location tools. Watch the official TWRA On The Go promo before deciding whether to rely on mobile proof or print a backup.
Video source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. If the embedded video changes, use Go Outdoors Tennessee and official TWRA links below for current license tools.
Which Tennessee Fishing License Do You Need?
The correct Tennessee fishing license depends on five things: your residency, age, trip length, whether you will fish for trout, and whether your fishing location has a special permit requirement. A cheap no-trout license can be wrong if you later decide to fish a trout stream, Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, a TWRA lake, or a special regulated water.
Combination Hunt/Fish
Best for Tennessee residents ages 16–64 who want the standard annual base license for fishing and small game hunting.
1-Day No Trout or All Species
Best for a single Tennessee fishing day. Choose all-species if trout is part of the plan.
3-Day, 10-Day or Annual
Best for nonresidents choosing by trip length and trout need.
Supplemental or All Species
Trout fishing usually requires an all-species license or trout supplemental privilege.
Age-Based Options
Children 12 and under do not need a license; youth 13–15 and seniors have separate options.
Extra Permit Check
Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA lakes, Lake Halford, Reelfoot and South Holston can need special attention.
Tennessee Fishing License Cost: 2026 Resident and Nonresident Fees
TWRA lists many license products because Tennessee combines fishing, hunting, trapping, trout and special permits in different ways. The prices below are the core fishing-related products most users need to compare first.
Combination Hunt/Fish Annual Ages 16–64
The minimum resident annual license required to fish and hunt small game. Trout requires an Annual Trout Supplemental license unless another license includes it.
Resident 1-Day Fishing No Trout
For Tennessee residents ages 13–64 who need one fishing day and will not fish for trout.
Resident 1-Day Fishing All Species
For residents ages 16–64 who need one fishing day and want trout included.
Annual Trout Supplemental
Allows an angler to fish for trout when purchased with an eligible resident base license.
County of Residence Fishing No Trout
Allows fishing in the angler’s county of residence with natural bait, but not minnows; artificial baits are not allowed and trout requires supplemental licensing.
Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap Ages 13–15
Valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing before the 16th birthday. Some WMA permits may still be required.
Resident Senior Hunt/Fish/Trap Options
Available on or after the customer’s 65th birthday with valid proof of age and residency.
Annual Sportsman Ages 16–64
All-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing without TWRA supplemental licenses or non-quota permits.
Tennessee Resident Fishing License Options
For most Tennessee residents ages 16–64, the resident combination license is the starting point for annual fishing. But it does not automatically mean trout, Gatlinburg, TWRA lakes or special waters are covered.
Combination Hunt/Fish
The common resident annual base license. Good for regular fishing, but trout needs supplemental coverage.
Annual Trout Supplemental
Add this if your eligible resident base license does not include trout and you plan to fish trout.
Annual Sportsman
Broad resident option that includes sport fishing and removes many supplemental license needs.
Tennessee Nonresident Fishing License Options
Nonresidents have separate no-trout and all-species choices. This is important because Tennessee does not treat trout as a small afterthought; if you buy no-trout and later decide to fish trout, the wrong product can cost more and create compliance problems.
| Nonresident Trip | No Trout License | All Species / Trout Included | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $20 | $40 | Short visitor trip; choose all-species if trout is possible. |
| 10 days | $30 | $61 | Longer vacation, Smoky Mountains trip, or multiple water days. |
| Annual | $49 | $98 | Repeat visitors, seasonal stays or frequent out-of-state anglers. |
| Age 13–15 | Annual Junior Hunt/Fish $10 | Check all-game products if hunting big game | Required for nonresident youth ages 13–15 to fish or hunt small game. |
| Gatlinburg / special waters | Extra permit may apply | Extra permit may apply | Check the special water before buying. |
Tennessee Trout License and All-Species Rules
Trout is the license category that creates the most mistakes in Tennessee. Warmwater fishing, trout fishing, Gatlinburg trout, Tellico-Citico trout and special trout areas can involve different products.
Resident Annual Trout Supplemental
The $21 resident annual trout supplemental must be purchased with an eligible resident license when trout coverage is needed.
All-Species Nonresident
Nonresident all-species licenses include trout and are often safer when the trip includes mountain streams or stocked trout waters.
Gatlinburg Trout
Gatlinburg has special trout permit and one-day trout license options. Check the location before you fish.
Tennessee Youth, Senior and Disability Fishing License Rules
Age matters a lot in Tennessee. Children 12 and under generally do not need a fishing license, youth ages 13–15 have junior products, and residents age 65+ have annual and permanent senior options. Some disability licenses are available only by application.
Ages 12 and Under
TWRA license-fee guidance says no license is required for ages 12 and under, although some permits may still apply.
Junior License
Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap ages 13–15 is $9 and must be purchased before the 16th birthday.
Resident Senior
Annual and permanent senior hunt/fish/trap products are available on or after the 65th birthday.
Disability Licenses
Several resident disability licenses are available by application, including certified blind, wheelchair, disabled veteran and other categories.
How to Buy a Tennessee Fishing License Online
The official online system is Go Outdoors Tennessee. The system lets you buy licenses and permits, create or manage your account, locate agents, and obtain unlimited free license reprints. New customers must create a TWRA customer account, and Go Outdoors Tennessee notes a Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
Start at TWRA or Go Outdoors Tennessee
Use the official TWRA license page or GoOutdoorsTennessee.com before entering personal or payment information.
Create or access your customer account
If you have ever held a Tennessee hunting/fishing license or registered a vessel, you may already have an account.
Choose resident, nonresident, youth or senior
Residency and age change your available products and fees. Resident status may be verified using Tennessee ID details.
Decide no-trout vs all-species
This is the most important fishing choice. Pick all-species or supplemental trout coverage if trout is part of the trip.
Add special permits if needed
Check Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA lakes, Lake Halford, Reelfoot, South Holston and other special waters.
Save or print proof
After checkout, print, screenshot, save digitally, or store proof in the TWRA On The Go app before fishing.
How to Print, Reprint or Store a Tennessee Fishing License
Go Outdoors Tennessee says customers can purchase licenses and obtain unlimited free license reprints 24/7/365. The TWRA On The Go app also supports buying licenses and storing official documents on your phone.
Print at Home
Use Go Outdoors Tennessee to view and print your license or permit after purchase.
Use TWRA On The Go
The app can help buy hunting and fishing licenses and keep an official document on your phone.
Free Reprints
Use the official system for license reprints if you lose your paper copy or change devices.
Tennessee Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week 2026
TWRA lists Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day as June 6, 2026. On Free Fishing Day, all state residents and visitors of any age may fish without a license in Tennessee public waters. TWRA also lists Free Fishing Week for children ages 15 and younger from June 6 through June 12, 2026.
June 6, 2026
Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day. Everyone can fish Tennessee public waters without a license on this date.
June 6–12, 2026
Children ages 15 and younger can fish free all week under TWRA’s Free Fishing Week guidance.
Tennessee Gatlinburg, South Holston, Tellico-Citico and TWRA Lake Permit Checks
Some Tennessee waters need more than a standard fishing license. This is where many anglers accidentally under-buy. Always check the exact water before assuming your general license is enough.
Gatlinburg Trout
Gatlinburg has one-day trout permit and one-day trout license options. Rules depend on age and whether you already hold an appropriate fishing license.
Tellico-Citico
The Tellico-Citico Trout 1-Day permit is required seasonally to fish Tellico River and/or Citico Creek under TWRA rules.
South Holston
Resident anglers fishing the Virginia portion of South Holston Reservoir need the South Holston supplemental license.
TWRA Lakes
TWRA lake permits can be required to fish Agency lakes, with daily and annual permit options.
Lake Halford
Lake Halford has separate permit rules for recreation and access. Check current exceptions before going.
Reelfoot Lake
Reelfoot Lake Preservation Permits may apply, with exceptions for some age groups.
Who Needs a Tennessee Fishing License?
TWRA’s license-fee guidance says no license is required for ages 12 and under, although some permits may still apply. Youth ages 13–15 use junior products. Adult residents and nonresidents generally need the correct fishing license unless a specific exemption applies.
Ages 12 and Under
No fishing license is required, but special permits and fishing rules can still matter.
Youth Ages 13–15
Junior license products cover youth sport fishing, with some permit exceptions still possible.
Adults
Resident and nonresident adults should buy the correct product for duration, trout and special waters.
Private Land / Exemptions
Some exemption situations exist, but permission and exact rule details matter. Verify before relying on an exemption.
A Tennessee Fishing License Is Not Permission to Keep Any Fish
A license only answers whether you may fish. Tennessee fishing regulations still control species, seasons, methods, size limits, creel limits, trout rules, special waters, private-property access and lake-specific restrictions.
Creel Limits
Daily creel and possession limits apply even on Free Fishing Day.
Size Limits
Bass, trout, catfish and other species can have water-specific size rules.
Trout Rules
Trout waters can require the correct license and may have special seasons, gear or harvest rules.
Legal Methods
Rod, reel, jug, bait, live bait, trotline, limbline and other methods are regulated.
Special Waters
Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, TWRA lakes, Lake Halford, Reelfoot and other waters may differ from statewide rules.
Species ID
If you cannot identify a fish confidently, release it. Similar fish can have different limits.
Tennessee Fishing License Mistakes to Avoid
Most Tennessee license mistakes happen because anglers buy a no-trout license, ignore special waters, forget youth age rules, or assume Free Fishing Day removes every regulation.
Before Buying
- Do not buy no-trout if you might fish trout later.
- Do not assume a resident base license covers Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, South Holston or TWRA lakes.
- Do not claim resident pricing unless you qualify under TWRA rules.
- Do not forget processing fees can apply to purchases.
- Do not ignore senior, youth or disability license categories if they apply.
Before Fishing
- Print or save your license before leaving home.
- Carry ID and proof that match your license category.
- Check current TWRA regulations for the exact water and species.
- Use Free Fishing Day correctly: license waiver only, not regulation waiver.
- Get private-property permission before fishing private water or crossing private land.
Official Tennessee Fishing License Links
Use these official sources for final decisions. This guide explains the Tennessee fishing license process in plain English, but TWRA and Go Outdoors Tennessee control current fees, license products, permit rules, reprints, app tools and regulations.
Tennessee Fishing License FAQ
How much is a Tennessee resident fishing license in 2026?
The common resident annual base option is the Combination Hunt/Fish license at $33 for ages 16–64. A resident 1-day no-trout license is $6, a resident 1-day all-species license is $11, and the Annual Trout Supplemental license is $21.
How much is a Tennessee nonresident fishing license?
Nonresident fees include $49 annual no-trout, $98 annual all-species, $20 three-day no-trout, $40 three-day all-species, $30 ten-day no-trout and $61 ten-day all-species.
Can I buy a Tennessee fishing license online?
Yes. You can buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee, the official online licensing system used by TWRA. You can also buy from licensed agents and regional offices.
Can I print or reprint my Tennessee fishing license?
Yes. Go Outdoors Tennessee says customers can purchase licenses and obtain unlimited free license reprints 24/7/365.
Who needs a Tennessee fishing license?
TWRA guidance says no license is required for ages 12 and under, although some permits may still apply. Youth ages 13–15 can use junior products, while adults need the correct resident or nonresident license unless an exemption applies.
When is Tennessee Free Fishing Day in 2026?
Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day is June 6, 2026. Everyone may fish Tennessee public waters without a license that day. Youth ages 15 and younger can fish free June 6–12, 2026.
Does a Tennessee fishing license include trout?
Not always. Some licenses are no-trout products. Trout fishing may require an all-species license, Annual Trout Supplemental license or special trout permit depending on residency, trip length and water.
Do I need a special permit for Gatlinburg trout fishing?
Gatlinburg has its own trout permit and one-day trout license options. Check TWRA’s current special permit table before fishing in Gatlinburg waters.
Do TWRA lakes require extra permits?
Some TWRA Agency lakes require daily or annual TWRA lake permits, with exceptions. Check the specific lake and current TWRA fishing guide before fishing.
Where should I verify Tennessee fishing license rules?
Verify license fees, trout coverage, special permits, Free Fishing Day, processing fees, print/reprint options and current fishing regulations through TWRA and Go Outdoors Tennessee before buying or fishing.
Final Take: Choose No-Trout, All-Species or Supplemental Carefully
The best Tennessee fishing license depends on whether trout is part of your plan. Residents usually start with the $33 combination license for annual basic fishing, then add trout supplemental if needed. Nonresidents compare no-trout and all-species products across three-day, ten-day and annual durations. Youth, seniors and disability categories can reduce cost, but proof and eligibility matter.
Before checkout, check special waters such as Gatlinburg, Tellico-Citico, South Holston, TWRA lakes, Lake Halford and Reelfoot. After purchase, print or store your license in Go Outdoors Tennessee or TWRA On The Go. Before fishing, read current TWRA regulations for your exact water and species. A license lets you fish, but it does not override creel limits, size limits, trout rules, private-property permission or special permit requirements.
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