Tennessee Fishing License Cost: Resident & Nonresident Fees
Trying to figure out the real Tennessee fishing license cost before you buy? Tennessee pricing depends on residency, age, trip length, trout, county-only fishing, special trout waters, Reelfoot Lake, TWRA state lakes and whether you are buying a package through Go Outdoors Tennessee. This guide breaks down the 2026 TWRA resident and nonresident fishing fees, including no-trout licenses, all-species trout options, one-day, three-day, ten-day, senior, youth and special permit situations.
Helpful Official Resource: TWRA On the Go and Go Outdoors Tennessee
TWRA’s official online provider is Go Outdoors Tennessee. The TWRA On the Go app can also help with licenses and Tennessee outdoor information. Before paying, verify your exact package, trout coverage, special permits and final checkout fees.
Video source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency official YouTube uploads. If the playlist does not load, use the official TWRA and Go Outdoors Tennessee links below.
Which Tennessee Fishing License Should You Buy?
The correct Tennessee license depends on one simple question first: will you fish for trout? If yes, choose a trout-inclusive product. If no, you can usually choose a no-trout product and save money. After that, choose resident or nonresident, annual or short-term, and whether any special area permit applies.
General Fishing Package
Best for Tennessee residents who want statewide ordinary fishing and do not need trout coverage.
Avid Angler Package
Best for residents fishing all species, including trout, across Tennessee except specialty locations needing extra permits.
Nonresident Annual
Best for visitors fishing Tennessee repeatedly. Choose no-trout or all-species based on whether trout is included.
3-Day or 10-Day
Best for vacations, guided trips, Smoky Mountains visits, short lake trips and weekend fishing.
County of Residence
Best only for qualifying residents fishing their own county with natural bait and no trout unless supplemental is added.
Extra Permit Check
Tellico-Citico, TWRA state lakes, Reelfoot and certain managed waters can require extra permits.
Tennessee Fishing License Cost 2026: Resident and Nonresident Fees
TWRA lists both individual license fees and Go Outdoors Tennessee packages. Packages can include multiple items and may be easier for online buyers, while the fee table helps you understand what each item actually covers.
General Fishing Package
Minimum resident package required to fish across Tennessee. It does not include trout.
Avid Angler Package
Resident package that includes everything needed to fish all species, including trout, across Tennessee except special locations needing extra permits.
Combination Hunt/Fish Annual
Base resident license for ages 16–64. It is the minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game and does not include trout by itself.
Annual Trout Supplemental
Allows a resident angler to fish for trout when purchased with eligible base licenses such as combo hunt/fish, county-of-residence or one-day no-trout.
1-Day Fishing No Trout
Resident short-term license for ages 13–64. It does not include trout.
1-Day Fishing All Species
Resident one-day license for ages 16–64 that includes trout.
County of Residence Fishing No Trout
Allows fishing in the resident’s county of residence with natural bait only. It does not allow minnows or artificial lures and requires supplemental trout coverage for trout.
Annual Fishing No Trout
Nonresident annual fishing license for age 16 and over. It does not include trout.
Annual Fishing All Species Including Trout
Nonresident annual fishing license for age 16 and over that includes trout.
3-Day Fishing No Trout
Nonresident 3-day license for age 16 and over. It does not include trout.
3-Day Fishing All Species Including Trout
Nonresident 3-day license for age 16 and over that includes trout.
10-Day Fishing No Trout
Nonresident 10-day fishing license without trout.
10-Day Fishing All Species Including Trout
Nonresident 10-day license that includes trout.
Tennessee Resident Fishing License Cost: What Locals Usually Need
Resident anglers should first decide whether they want basic fishing, trout fishing, one-day coverage, county-only natural bait fishing, or senior coverage. The resident packages make the online choice easier, but it is still important to understand what is inside them.
General Fishing Package
Best for most Tennessee residents who fish bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and other non-trout species statewide.
Avid Angler Package
Best for Tennessee residents who want trout included and do not want to piece together base plus supplemental items.
County of Residence
Very limited option for fishing only in your county of residence with natural bait and no trout unless supplemented.
Tennessee Nonresident Fishing License Cost: Annual, 3-Day and 10-Day
Tennessee visitor pricing is trip-friendly because nonresidents can choose 3-day, 10-day or annual products. The major decision is trout versus no trout.
| Visitor Situation | No-Trout Cost | All-Species Cost | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short weekend | $20 for 3-day | $40 for 3-day with trout | Good for 2–3 day trips, guided outings and short vacations. |
| Longer vacation | $30 for 10-day | $61 for 10-day with trout | Good for Smoky Mountains, lake cabins and multi-day visits. |
| Repeat visitor | $49 annual | $98 annual with trout | Good if you will fish Tennessee multiple times. |
| Age 13–15 nonresident | $10 annual junior hunt/fish | Junior product rules apply | Required for nonresident ages 13–15 to fish or hunt small game. |
Tennessee Trout Fishing License Cost: Resident vs Nonresident
Trout is the biggest price divider in Tennessee. That matters for Gatlinburg, the Smokies area, Tellico-Citico, stocked trout streams, tailwaters and mountain streams.
Resident Avid Angler
Includes all species, including trout, across Tennessee except specialty locations requiring separate permits.
Resident Trout Supplemental
Can be added to eligible resident licenses such as combo hunt/fish, county-of-residence or one-day no-trout.
Nonresident Annual All Species
Nonresident annual option including trout. Nonresidents should choose all-species upfront if trout is likely.
Tennessee Short-Term Fishing License Cost: One-Day, Three-Day and Ten-Day
Short-term licenses are useful if you do not fish Tennessee often. Residents have one-day options. Nonresidents have 3-day and 10-day fishing options.
Resident 1-Day No Trout
Best for one ordinary fishing day without trout.
Resident 1-Day All Species
Best for one resident fishing day where trout may be included.
Nonresident 3-Day No Trout
Best for a short visitor trip without trout.
Nonresident 3-Day All Species
Best for short visitor trips that include trout.
Tennessee County of Residence Fishing License: Cheap but Very Limited
The $10 county-of-residence license is often misunderstood. It is not a statewide fishing license, and it is not a flexible trout license.
Where It Works
Only in the angler’s county of residence.
Method Limits
Natural bait is allowed, such as worms, crickets, cut bait or corn, but not minnows. Artificial lures are not allowed.
Trout Not Included
A supplemental trout license is required if you use this license and want to fish for trout.
Tennessee Senior and Youth Fishing License Cost
Tennessee has different rules for children, resident youth, nonresident youth and seniors. Age matters, and senior licenses require Tennessee residency proof.
| Category | Cost | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 12 and under | No license required | Some special permits may still apply depending on the water or activity. |
| Resident youth ages 13–15 | Free application package may be available | Go Outdoors Tennessee lists a Youth Customer Application for resident youth 13–15. |
| Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap ages 13–15 | $9 resident | Valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing before 16th birthday. |
| Nonresident annual junior hunt/fish | $10 | Required for nonresidents ages 13–15 to fish or hunt small game. |
| Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap | $4 | Resident age 65+ only, with proof of age and residency. |
| Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap | $49 | Resident age 65+ only. Base and supplemental licenses are included, but WMA permits can still be separate. |
Tennessee Special Fishing Permits: Costs That Can Surprise Anglers
Some Tennessee waters require permits in addition to the base fishing license. These are easy to miss when you only ask, “How much is a Tennessee fishing license?”
Tellico-Citico Trout Permit
Required seasonally to fish Tellico River and Citico Creek and year-round on Green Cove Pond.
TWRA State Lake Daily Permit
Required in addition to base fishing license to sport fish for one day on TWRA state lakes when applicable.
Reelfoot Preservation Permit
Required for many users of Reelfoot WMA, with exemptions for under 16, residents 65+ and Sportsman license holders.
How to Buy a Tennessee Fishing License Online
Go Outdoors Tennessee is the approved and authorized provider for online Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses. You can also buy through TWRA licensed agents and regional offices.
Open Go Outdoors Tennessee
Start from the official TWRA license page or the Go Outdoors Tennessee website. Avoid unofficial websites when entering personal details or payment information.
Create or find your TWRA customer account
Returning customers can log in. New customers create an account. U.S. citizens generally need a Social Security Number for license purchase under federal requirements.
Choose resident or nonresident
Resident status is verified through Tennessee identification rules. Do not choose resident pricing unless you qualify.
Choose no-trout or all-species
This is the most important cost decision. If trout is possible, choose the correct trout product upfront.
Check special permits and save proof
Add special permits if the location requires them, then save your electronic license email or print a backup before fishing.
Tennessee Digital License Proof, Reprint and App Notes
Go Outdoors Tennessee states the electronic copy of your license received by email is a true and legal copy. You can also log in and request another email copy or reprint your license.
Email Copy
The electronic copy you receive by email is legal proof of your license.
Reprint Option
Log in to your account and select reprint my license if you need another copy.
TWRA On the Go
The TWRA app can help with licenses, outdoor information, guides and Tennessee fishing resources.
Tennessee Fishing License Cost Mistakes to Avoid
Most Tennessee license mistakes happen because anglers choose no-trout when they need trout, misunderstand the county-of-residence license, forget special permits or assume package price is the same as final checkout total.
Before Buying
- Do not buy no-trout if your trip may include trout.
- Do not buy county-of-residence license for statewide fishing.
- Do not choose resident pricing unless you meet TWRA residency rules.
- Do not ignore youth and senior options if eligible.
- Do not forget processing fees and optional durable card costs.
Before Fishing
- Save your electronic license email or print proof.
- Check current Tennessee fishing regulations.
- Check special permits for Tellico-Citico, TWRA state lakes, Reelfoot and managed waters.
- Check trout regulations and stocking information if targeting trout.
- Check lake, river and reservoir-specific limits before keeping fish.
Official Tennessee Fishing License Cost Links
Use these official TWRA and Go Outdoors Tennessee sources before buying. This guide explains the costs, but TWRA controls license products, fees, packages, exemptions, special permits and regulations.
Tennessee Fishing License Cost FAQ
How much is a Tennessee fishing license in 2026?
For residents, the General Fishing Package is $39 and the Avid Angler Package including trout is $60. For nonresidents, annual no-trout is $49 and annual all-species including trout is $98.
How much is a Tennessee resident fishing license?
The common resident General Fishing Package costs $39 and does not include trout. The resident Avid Angler Package costs $60 and includes all species including trout. The base Combo Hunt/Fish Annual item is listed at $33.
How much is a Tennessee nonresident fishing license?
A nonresident annual fishing license without trout costs $49. A nonresident annual all-species fishing license including trout costs $98.
How much is a Tennessee 3-day nonresident fishing license?
The Tennessee nonresident 3-day fishing license costs $20 without trout or $40 for all species including trout.
How much is a Tennessee 10-day nonresident fishing license?
The Tennessee nonresident 10-day fishing license costs $30 without trout or $61 for all species including trout.
How much is a Tennessee trout license?
Residents can use the $60 Avid Angler Package or the $21 Annual Trout Supplemental with eligible base licenses. Nonresidents should buy the all-species license that includes trout, such as $40 for 3-day, $61 for 10-day or $98 annual.
Does Tennessee offer a separate nonresident trout license?
Go Outdoors Tennessee states Tennessee does not offer a separate nonresident trout license. If a nonresident buys a no-trout license and later wants trout, they may need the full all-species license with no discount.
Do kids need a Tennessee fishing license?
No Tennessee fishing license is required for ages 12 and under. Nonresident ages 13–15 generally need the annual junior hunt/fish license to fish. Resident youth options should be verified through Go Outdoors Tennessee.
How much is a Tennessee senior fishing license?
The Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license is $4 and the Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap license is $49 for eligible Tennessee residents age 65 and older with proof of age and residency.
What is the Tennessee county-of-residence fishing license?
The $10 county-of-residence fishing license lets a Tennessee resident fish only in their county of residence with natural bait. It does not include trout, does not allow minnows and does not allow artificial lures.
Where can I buy a Tennessee fishing license online?
You can buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee, the approved and authorized online provider for Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses.
Where should I verify Tennessee fishing license cost?
Verify with TWRA’s License Structure and Fees page, Go Outdoors Tennessee and the current Tennessee fishing regulations before buying or fishing.
Final Take: Tennessee License Cost Depends Mostly on Trout and Residency
The Tennessee fishing license cost is easy to understand once you separate resident from nonresident and trout from no-trout. Residents usually choose between the $39 General Fishing Package and the $60 Avid Angler Package. Nonresidents choose between short-term and annual products, then decide whether trout is included.
Before buying, check your exact fishing plan. If you will fish trout, buy the trout-capable product upfront. If you will fish only in your county with natural bait, the county-of-residence license may work for residents, but it is limited. If you will fish Tellico-Citico, TWRA state lakes, Reelfoot or other special waters, check extra permits. Then buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee and save your electronic license proof before heading to the water.
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