Updated: March 2026 | Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)

Tennessee draws non-resident anglers from every corner of the country — and for good reason. The Volunteer State offers some of the South’s most diverse freshwater fishing, from world-class trout streams threading through the Great Smoky Mountains to trophy largemouth bass lurking in TVA reservoirs like Cherokee, Norris, and Dale Hollow. Before you wet a line, you need to know exactly which license to buy, what it costs, and where to get it.

tennessee fishing hero
tennessee fishing hero

Tennessee’s mountain streams offer fly fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout in some of the most scenic water in the eastern United States.

Who Needs a Non-Resident Tennessee Fishing License

Any person 13 years of age or older who does not qualify as a Tennessee resident must hold a valid non-resident fishing license before attempting to take fish in Tennessee waters. Tennessee defines residency as holding a valid Tennessee driver’s license or state ID, or having lived continuously in the state for 90 days with the genuine intent of establishing permanent residence. Military personnel on active duty stationed in Tennessee may qualify for resident licenses regardless of their home state.

Children 12 and under are fully exempt — no license is required for anglers in that age group. Non-residents ages 13–15 may purchase a Junior Hunt/Fish Combination license ($10.00) rather than the adult non-resident license. Landowners fishing on their own private property in Tennessee are exempt from the standard license requirement, though some special permits may still apply.

Native Tennessean option: Non-residents who were born in Tennessee but no longer reside there may apply for a Native Tennessean Annual License, which allows them to purchase annual licenses at resident rates. First-time applicants must submit a Native Tennessean Annual License Application to TWRA.

2026 Non-Resident Fishing License Prices

Fees below are verified from the official TWRA License Structure and Fees page (March 2026). A proposed 28% fee increase was withdrawn by TWRA in 2025 after legislative pushback — all fees remain unchanged from the previous license year.

Note: Processing fees apply to all purchases regardless of channel. Prices shown are base license costs before processing fees.

Annual License Pricing

License Type Age Requirement 2026 Cost
Annual Fishing — No Trout Age 16 and over $49.00
Annual Fishing — All Species (includes Trout) Age 16 and over $98.00

Short-Term License Pricing

License Type Age Requirement 2026 Cost
3-Day Fishing — No Trout Age 16 and over $20.00
3-Day Fishing — All Species (includes Trout) Age 16 and over $40.00
10-Day Fishing — No Trout Age 16 and over $30.00
10-Day Fishing — All Species (includes Trout) Age 16 and over $61.00

Youth Non-Resident Pricing

License Type Age Requirement 2026 Cost
Annual Junior Hunt/Fish — No Big Game Ages 13–15 $10.00
7-Day Junior All Game Ages 13–15 $26.00
Annual Junior All Game Ages 13–15 $41.00

Special Permit Pricing

Special permits are required in addition to your base fishing license when fishing designated waters. Holders of a Lifetime or Annual Sportsman License are exempt from these permits.

Permit Type 2026 Cost
1-Day Gatlinburg Trout License (standalone — no base license needed) $3.00
3-Day Gatlinburg Trout Permit (add-on to base license) $9.00
Tellico-Citico Trout — 1-Day Permit (required seasonally) $6.00
TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit — Daily $6.00
TWRA State Lake Fishing Permit — Annual $48.00
Bedford Lake 1-Day Fishing Permit $6.00
Reelfoot Lake Preservation Permit — 1-Day $3.00
Reelfoot Lake Preservation Permit — 3-Day $10.00
Reelfoot Lake Preservation Permit — Annual $16.00
Non-Resident Guide License $650.00

Multi-Year License Options

Tennessee does not offer a standard multi-year or lifetime non-resident fishing license. Lifetime licenses (called Sportsman Lifetime) are available to Tennessee residents only. Non-residents may wish to compare the cost of multiple annual licenses against the value of visiting multiple years.

2026 Regulatory Changes and Key Dates

Fee Stability in 2026

TWRA proposed a 28% fee increase in 2025 to address a $12 million budget shortfall, but withdrew the proposal after lawmakers signaled opposition. As a result, all 2026 non-resident fishing license fees are identical to 2025 fees. This makes 2026 an ideal year to visit before any future adjustment.

Free Fishing Week 2026

Free Fishing Week runs June 6–12, 2026. All children ages 15 and younger may fish for free during this period. Adult non-residents still require a valid license during Free Fishing Week — the exemption applies only to youth.

License Validity

All standard Tennessee fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase — not tied to a calendar year. A 3-day, 10-day, or annual license purchased in June 2026 expires in June 2026, 2026, or 2027 respectively.

Trout Waters: Tellico and Citico

The Tellico-Citico Trout Permit is required seasonally to fish the Tellico River, Citico Creek, and year-round on Green Cove Pond. Non-residents holding any valid base fishing license must also purchase this daily permit ($6.00) when fishing those specific waters.

South Holston Reservoir: Border Water Note

South Holston Reservoir straddles the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Non-residents fishing the Virginia portion of South Holston must purchase the South Holston Reservoir Supplemental permit ($20.00), which is sold by TWRA agents and is essentially a Virginia license. All license holders, including Sportsman’s License holders, need this permit to fish the Virginia side.

How to Buy Your Tennessee Non-Resident Fishing License Online

The fastest and most convenient purchase method is through the official portal: GoOutdoorsTennessee.com. You’ll need to create a free account using your Social Security Number (required by Tennessee state law for all fishing and hunting license purchases). Once registered, licenses are available for purchase 24 hours a day and are valid immediately upon transaction confirmation.

After purchasing online, you have two options for carrying your license:

  1. Digital license on your phone — Tennessee accepts digital licenses displayed on a mobile device. Your TWRA account at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com stores all your active licenses.
  2. Printed hard copy — You may print a physical copy at home or pay $8 to have a laminated hard copy mailed to you.

The TWRA does not offer a standalone smartphone app for license management, but the mobile-optimized GoOutdoorsTennessee.com website functions effectively on all devices.

Where to Buy In-Person

Non-resident licenses are available at hundreds of authorized license agents statewide:

  • Sporting goods retailers — Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Academy Sports, and most local tackle shops carry TWRA licenses
  • Walmart and other mass retailers — Many Tennessee Walmart locations sell fishing licenses at the sporting goods counter
  • County clerk offices — Available at all Tennessee county clerk offices during regular business hours
  • TWRA Regional Offices — Four regional offices across the state (Memphis, Nashville, Crossville, Morristown areas) can issue licenses and assist with specialty permits
  • Boat docks and marinas — Many public and private marinas near major lakes carry licenses during peak season

Contact TWRA directly:

Tennessee Fishing Regulations 2026

tennessee fishing family
tennessee fishing family

Tennessee’s rivers and lakes welcome families — children 12 and under fish for free without any license requirement.

Size and Possession Limits

Tennessee fishing regulations are enforced by TWRA Wildlife Officers and cover size limits, possession limits, and season dates that vary by species and water body. Key non-resident considerations include:

  • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Statewide minimum length 12 inches; daily creel limit 5 fish combined. Some TVA reservoirs have modified limits — verify the specific water body regulations before fishing.
  • Trout (Rainbow, Brown, Brook): A valid trout license (either annual All Species or Trout Supplemental) is required in addition to your base license unless fishing with a Gatlinburg One-Day Trout License. Most trout streams have a 7-fish daily creel limit; size minimums vary by water.
  • Walleye and Sauger: Daily creel limit 10 combined on most waters; some reservoirs have stricter limits.
  • Catfish (Blue, Channel, Flathead): Generally 15 fish per day; no minimum length on most waters.

Gear and Method Restrictions

Tennessee does not prohibit the use of artificial lures or live bait on most waters, but specific restrictions apply to particular streams and special regulation areas. The County of Residence License (a resident-only license) restricts holders to natural bait only — this does not apply to non-resident licenses.

Crayfish and Salamanders

Tennessee law classifies the taking of crayfish and salamanders as fishing activity. Non-residents collecting either species for bait or any other purpose must possess a valid non-resident fishing license.

Commercial Fishing

Non-residents who wish to harvest fish commercially require a separate non-resident commercial fishing license. Sport fishing licenses do not authorize any commercial activity.

Exemptions: Who Does Not Need a License

Category Exemption Details
Children 12 and under Fully exempt — no license required
Non-residents born in Tennessee May qualify for Native Tennessean resident license rates
Landowners on own property Exempt from sport fishing license for fishing on their own land
Military on active duty in TN May purchase resident licenses regardless of home state
Sportsman/Lifetime License holders Exempt from most supplemental permits (except border water permits)

Note: The exemption for landowners applies only to Tennessee resident landowners fishing on their own property. Non-resident property owners in Tennessee are not exempt from the non-resident fishing license requirement.

Fines and Penalties

Fishing in Tennessee without a valid license is a Class C misdemeanor. Penalties include:

  • Fine: Up to $50 per offense, plus court costs
  • License revocation: Repeat violations can result in license denial
  • Additional charges: Violating size/possession limits or fishing in closed waters can result in separate charges, each carrying fines up to $500 and potential equipment confiscation

TWRA Wildlife Officers actively patrol Tennessee waters, especially during peak season on major reservoirs and popular trout streams. The low cost of a 3-day or 10-day license makes compliance a straightforward choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a trout stamp in addition to a non-resident fishing license in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not use a traditional “trout stamp” format. Instead, non-residents must purchase either the Annual Fishing — All Species ($98) or the 10-Day All Species ($61) license, which includes trout fishing privileges. If you purchase the No-Trout version of any license, you are not permitted to target trout. The one exception is the Gatlinburg area: a 1-Day Gatlinburg Trout License ($3.00) is the only document required to fish Gatlinburg waters for one day — no additional base license is needed.

Can I fish Tennessee waters with a license from a neighboring state?

No. Tennessee does not have general reciprocal fishing license agreements with neighboring states (Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, or Missouri) for routine fishing. Each state requires its own license. The one limited reciprocal arrangement is the South Holston Reservoir supplemental permit, where TWRA sells a $20 Virginia license to Tennessee residents who want to fish the Virginia portion of that border reservoir — non-residents still need both a Tennessee non-resident base license and the supplement.

Is a Social Security Number required to buy a Tennessee fishing license?

Yes. Tennessee state law requires a Social Security Number for the purchase of any hunting or fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents purchasing through any channel — online, in-person, or by phone.

What waters require a special permit in addition to my base non-resident fishing license?

Four water bodies require additional permits beyond your base license: TWRA State Lakes (daily $6 or annual $48), Gatlinburg trout waters (permit required for multi-day visits if you have a base license; one-day standalone license available for $3), Tellico and Citico Trout areas (seasonal $6 daily permit), and Bedford Lake ($6 daily). Non-residents fishing Reelfoot Lake also need a Reelfoot Preservation Permit ($3/day, $10/3-day, $16/annual).

When does a Tennessee fishing license expire?

Most Tennessee fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase — not tied to a calendar year. For example, a license purchased on June 15, 2026 expires June 15, 2027. Short-term licenses (3-day, 10-day) expire at midnight on the last day of the license period, starting from the date you designate at purchase.

Can children fish for free during Free Fishing Week?

Yes. During Free Fishing Week (June 6–12, 2026), all anglers ages 15 and younger may fish in Tennessee without any license. Adult non-residents still need a valid license during this week. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce young family members to fishing before committing to a full license.

Are digital licenses accepted in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee Wildlife Officers accept digital license display on a smartphone as valid proof of possession. Your licenses are accessible through your account on GoOutdoorsTennessee.com at any time.

What is a Native Tennessean License and can I qualify?

If you were born in Tennessee but currently reside in another state, you may qualify for a Native Tennessean Annual License, which allows you to purchase annual Tennessee licenses at resident rates. First-time applicants must submit a physical application to TWRA. Subsequent renewals can be completed online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.

Official Sources