United States/
Tennessee

Fishing in Tennessee

Q: 📜 What are the fishing regulations in Tennessee, United States?

Fishing regulations in Tennessee, United States vary by region, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the Fishbrain app to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

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About Tennessee fishing

Tennessee offers bass-rich reservoirs, trout streams in the Smokies, and catfish in major rivers. Its diverse freshwater habitats provide year-round opportunities for anglers of all levels.

Tennessee fishing license

Fishing in Tennessee requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online or at authorized retailers.

In Tennessee, no fishing license is required for anglers under 13 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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Biggest catches in Tennessee

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Latest Tennessee fishing reports

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

J. Percy Priest Reservoir (Stones River)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Lakeland Lake (Garner Lake)

length · weight

Largemouth bass

J. Percy Priest Reservoir (Stones River)

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in Tennessee

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Tennessee can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of May 28th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

Smallmouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Aggregate

Purchase your Tennessee fishing license on the Go Outdoors Tennessee website.

No size limit. No more than 5 black bass per day in any combination of species may be taken. This aggregate limit includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Coosa Bass.

Several waters have exceptions to these statewide limits. Refer to TWRA for a full list of exceptions to statewide limits.

Micropterus dolomieui

Regulations for

36°09′54″N 86°47′3.3″W

Regulations in the map

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FAQ about Tennessee fishing

Fishing regulations in Tennessee, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

Some of the most popular species anglers target in Tennessee, United States include Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and Rainbow trout. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.

Some of the most popular fishing spots in Tennessee, United States include Old Hickory Lake (Cumberland River), J. Percy Priest Reservoir (Stones River), and Chickamauga Lake (Tennessee River). Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.

Fishing in Tennessee

Top fishing waters in Tennessee

About Tennessee fishing

Tennessee fishing license

Top fish species caught in Tennessee

Biggest catches in Tennessee

State records of caught fish in Tennessee

Latest Tennessee fishing reports

Fishing regulations in Tennessee

Regulations for

FAQ about Tennessee fishing