FishKillFlea The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages the TN fishing license. Tennessee combines its basic hunting and fishing into one entry-level resident license for $34 annually. If you want to fish for Appalachian trout, you'll need the additional $22 permit.
2025 TN Fishing License Cost — Resident
| License | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fish/Hunt | $34.00 | Exp Last Day of Feb | Base license |
| Annual Trout Permit | $22.00 | Exp Last Day of Feb | Add-on for trout waters |
| 1-Day (No Trout) | $6.00 | 1 Day | Great for weekend guests |
| 1-Day (All Species) | $11.50 | 1 Day | Includes trout! |
| Junior (Age 13-15) | $10.00 | 1 Year | Includes trout/hunting |
| Sportsman's | $165.00 | 1 Year | All-inclusive pass |
| County of Residence | $11.00 | — | Valid ONLY in home county with worms! |
TN Non-Resident Fishing License
| License | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NR Annual (No Trout) | $50.00 | Exp Last Day of Feb |
| NR Annual (All Species) | $99.00 | Exp Last Day of Feb |
| NR 10-Day (No Trout) | $30.50 | 10 Days |
| NR 3-Day (No Trout) | $20.50 | 3 Days |
The "Last Day of February" Rule
Tennessee operates on a strict March 1st cycle. Every annual fishing license you buy expires on the last day of February the following year, regardless of whether you bought it in April or December. Keep this in mind during the winter!
Compare TN With Neighboring States
| State | Res Annual | NR Annual | 1-Day NR Short | Trout Stamp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $23.00 | $55.00 | $15.00 (1-Day) | +$10.00 |
| Virginia | $23.00 | $47.00 | $12.00 (1-Day) | +$23.00 |
| North Carolina | $30.00 | $45.00 | $23.00 (10-Day) | +$15.00 |
| Georgia | $15.00 | $50.00 | $10.00 (1-Day) | +$10.00 |
Tennessee's $34 annual resident license (which doubles as a hunting license) is slightly more expensive out-of-pocket than neighboring Kentucky or Georgia. When you add the $22 trout stamp, TN residents are paying around $56 to fish everything. However, TN's out-of-state pricing ($50 base) is incredibly fair for the high quality of bass fishing on the Tennessee River system.
FAQ
Do kids need a license in Tennessee?
Youth under the age of 13 fish for entirely FREE in Tennessee. Once they turn 13, they must buy the Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap license for $10.00, which covers them until their 16th birthday. See TN exemptions.