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Do I need a fishing license in Tennessee?

Tennessee's license age rule, quoted from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, checked against your age and residency, plus its free fishing days.

The rule in Tennessee

Residents and nonresidents 13 and older need a license.

"There are some license exemptions Residents or nonresidents under 13 years of age."

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. License Structure and Fees - TWRA, checked October 2026.

Free fishing days

Jun 12, 2027Everyone can fish free on Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day.
Jun 12 to 18, 2027Children 15 and younger fish free all week.

Source: License Structure and Fees - TWRA.

Fishing License CheckTennessee

Where will you fish?

Do you live there?

Your age

It depends on your age.

The rule

Residents and nonresidents 13 and older need a license.

"There are some license exemptions Residents or nonresidents under 13 years of age."

Source: License Structure and Fees - TWRA, checked October 2026.

Seniors and exemptions

"Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached."

"Senior Sportsman (ages 65 and over)"

"Landowners, their spouses, children, and children's spouses who fish or hunt on their own farmland can download the TWRA Farmland Owner License Exemption form"

"On military leave, carry a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement."

"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.)"

Free fishing days in Tennessee

Jun 12, 2027Everyone can fish free on Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day.
Jun 12 to 18, 2027Children 15 and younger fish free all week.

Source: License Structure and Fees - TWRA.

A guide to each state's published rule, not legal advice. Rules change; the linked page is the authority.

Each state's own rule, quoted
Residents and visitors
Free fishing days by date

Fishing in Tennessee

20 guides, charters and outfitters listed in Tennessee.

See Tennessee fishing guides

Common questions

Fishing license questions

Residents and nonresidents 13 and older need a license. Source: License Structure and Fees - TWRA.

Jun 12, 2027: Everyone can fish free on Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day. Jun 12 to 18, 2027: Children 15 and younger fish free all week. Source: License Structure and Fees - TWRA.

It depends on the state. Across the 48 states we have checked, a resident needs one from age 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 depending on the state. Nonresidents often start at a different age. Pick your state in the tool for its exact rule, quoted from the state's own page.

A day or weekend when the state lets anyone fish without a license. 41 of the states we have checked publish them. The next ones: New York, Nov 11, 2026; Oregon, Nov 27 to 28, 2026; North Dakota, Dec 26 to 27, 2026. Size, bag and season limits still apply.

In some coastal states, yes; in others the same license covers both, or saltwater anglers sign a free registry instead. Pick a coastal state in the tool to see its own wording.

Yes. It is free, needs no account, and links every answer to the state page it comes from. Always read the state's current rules before you fish.

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