Tennessee Fishing License Requirements

The hunting and fishing licenses go on sale February 18 each year, the beginning of prime fishing, and are valid until the last day of February the following year. Most licenses, except the Lifetime Sportsman License and specialty licenses, such as Wheelchair, Disabled Veteran, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and Blind Fishing licenses, are available from most county clerks, sporting goods stores, hardware stores, boat docks, online, and from all TWRA offices.

Hunting and fishing license sales and federal excise taxes comprise almost 100 percent of the TWRA's operating funds. Thank you for buying a hunting and fishing license. Without your support, Tennessee would not have the abundance of fish and wildlife that we all enjoy.

Any persons who are participating in hunting and fishing on the Reelfoot or Lake Isom NWR are required to have a signed permit on them at all times. This permit also serves as our Reelfoot & Lake Isom Public Use Regulations brochure, and can be printed, obtained at our Visitor Center, or may be found at our kiosks at Lake Isom, the Grassy Island unit and our Long Point unit.

Applicable licenses are required.

If you take fish or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license.

There are some exceptions:

No Fishing License Needed If:

• 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 who 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.