In order to do any type of outdoor fishing in Tennessee you need to have a fishing license. Tennessee fishing licenses go on sale February 18th of each year and are valid until the end of February the following year. Get your license so that you can enjoy Great Outdoors Month 2009.
Who needs a Tennessee fishing license? Anyone attempting to take a fish, or help another person take a fish, (including crayfish) from waters in the state of Tennessee must have an outdoor fishing license. That includes visitors from out of state.
Who does not need a Tennessee fishing license? Children under the age of 13, landowners fishing on their own property, Military personnel on military leave carrying leave papers, or a Tennessee resident born prior to May 1, 1926.
The most convenient way to purchase your Tennessee Fishing License is on-line. Go to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) website (click here). You will see a screen with very easy instructions as to what information you will need to provide for your on-line application. At the bottom of the page click where it says “Start Here” and you will be taken to the actual application. To apply for your Tennessee Fishing License on-line you must have been a resident of Tennessee for 90 days prior to the application date. The on-line application is self-explanatory, just follow the page by page instructions and at the end of the process you will have your outdoor fishing license in hand.
If you get confused or think you made an error you can always start over. Take your time and read the instructions on each page. Following are the highlights of the process:
Screen #1 – This section asks if you are a resident of Tennessee and if you are, you click on ‘yes’.
Screen #2 – This screen is where you enter your birth date plus either a Tennessee Driver’s License number or Social Security Number.
Note: If you do not have either Tennessee Driver’s License or a Social Security Number, you must go in person to an authorized licensing center to obtain a Tennessee Fishing License.
Screen #3 – On this screen you will provide your full name, height, weight, hair color, eye color, address, phone number and optional e-mail address. Once this information is entered it will be in the system the next time you use the site to purchase your fishing license or a hunting license.
Screen #4 – This screen gives you a list of all the different types of fishing and hunting licenses and their associated costs. The first option is county resident fishing for $8. Run your mouse over the words county resident fishing and an info box will pop up telling you exactly what you are allowed to do with that particular license. Go through the list until you find exactly which license you need to buy, click on one item at a time to add to your shopping cart.
Screen #5- Is the page verification or shopping basket. If you need other fishing licenses, continue through the list adding them to your basket one at a time. Once you have chosen all the licenses you need click on ‘add privilege and complete transaction’.
Screen #6 – This page is your ‘order from” and you will accept the order and enter your credit card information or opt out at that point if you change your mind. When you complete your order it will tell you to print the page, your receipt is your actual fishing license, so be sure to print it.
This is the easy way to obtain a Tennessee fishing license. You don’t have to leave home to buy your Tennessee outdoor fishing license. If you do not have access to the Internet you can apply in person at most Wal-Mart’s, K-Marts and at numerous bait and tackle shops throughout the state. Be sure to take your driver’s license with you as proof of residency.
Here are some of the costs for fishing licenses:
** A county fishing license is $8.00. That license only allows you to fish in one county of your choice. If you plan to fish in another county, you will need a fishing license for that county also.
** A combo hunting/fishing license is $28. That gives you the right to fish in any county in the entire State of Tennessee. Even if you aren’t a hunter buying this combo license is the only way you will be able to fish in any county in Tennessee. Instead of buying several different county licenses you can save money in the long run with the combo license.
** A resident trout license is $17.
** If you plan on doing some trout fishing in Gatlinburg you need to buy a special 3-day Gatlinburg trout license for $9. This license is mainly purchased by tourists or by Tennessee residents visiting Gatlinburg for the purpose of trout fishing.
** There is an Internet processing fee of $3.25 automatically added to your order no matter how many Tennessee fishing/hunting licenses you purchase on-line.
Print out the receipt – that receipt is your license. Keep it in your possession. The TWRA is very strict and they do patrol lakes and rivers looking for unlicensed fisherman. Don’t take the chance of getting caught without a Tennessee outdoor fishing license. It is a small investment for a year’s worth of legal fishing. Hope you catch a big one and be sure to enjoy Great Outdoors Month!
Resources:
Greenhill’s personal experience
TWRA Website
Tennessee Government Website
