Fishing Licensure in Tennessee
Photo Courtesy of Yamaha Outboards
Fishing Licensure in Tennessee
“The worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work” is something most of us have heard, but it isn’t necessarily true if you end up with a fine and court costs. This is why it’s important to get a proper license before you cast your rod.
You can purchase a fishing license in the state of TN online by going here.
Login / Enroll | Tennessee Hunt & Fish Licenses | Go Outdoors Tennessee
If you meet any of the following requirements set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) you are exempt from needing a fishing license. If any of these don’t apply to you, well, you’ll need to get a license. I’ll cover that shortly.
Exemption Qualifications:
- You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident).
- Landowners, their spouses, and children, who fish on their farmland which is owned by an individual or a family. Landowners, their spouses, and children must be residents of Tennessee but need not reside on the land.
- Tenants, their spouses, and dependent children fish on farmland owned by an individual or a family. Tenants, their spouses, and dependent children must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have the permission of the landowner to fish. A tenant is a person who, for money or free rent, or other consideration, cares for farmland. The tenancy must be agricultural in nature.
- Resident grandchildren (under 16) and resident great-grandchildren (under 16) who fish on farmland which is owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents.
- First cousins who own farmland jointly or in common may fish on the farmland. Their children may fish as well.
- You are on military leave, carrying a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement.
- You are a resident who was born before March 1, 1926. (To qualify for this exemption, you must carry proof of your age and residency to show to a wildlife officer, if requested.)
- It's Free Fishing Day!
- It's Free Fishing Week! Children all ages 15 and younger can fish free during the free fishing week.
Go here to read more about it.
There are a variety of fishing licenses you have the option of choosing. I wanted to go over some ones to note for those that may not be aware.
- Annual Hunting & Fishing Combination: $34
- Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game
- Jr. Hunt, Fish & Trap (Ages 13-15): $10
- Good for hunting all game, fishing, and trapping. Must be purchased prior to 16th birthday. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license.
- Sportsman: $166
- An all inclusive license, valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all TWRA license agents.
The following are all inclusive lifetime licenses, valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. The licenses allow holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply.
- Lifetime Sportsman (under 3 years old): $320
- Lifetime Sportsman (3-6 years old): $659
- Lifetime Sportsman (7-12 years old): $988
- Lifetime Sportsman (13-50 years old): $1,976
- Lifetime Sportsman (51-64 years old): $1,153
- Lifetime Sportsman (65+ years old): $329
There are additional fishing licenses as well as “Nonresident Fishing Licenses” available from the TWRA. You can see the full list by going here.
Tennessee Fishing Licenses & Special Use Fishing Permits Information
You can purchase a fishing license in the state of TN online by going here.
Login / Enroll | Tennessee Hunt & Fish Licenses | Go Outdoors Tennessee
The TWRA has a fantastic resource available online that has a wealth of information for fishing in Tennessee. Everything from downloadable content, to invasive species information, to information for children is all in one place.
Find it here. Fishing In Tennessee
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