Hunting & Fishing in Tennessee

Photo: TN Tourism

The Volunteer state offers numerous locations to get outdoors and enjoy fishing in one of the many public access lakes and rivers, or hunting in one of the public Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) or refuges. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages nearly 100 WMA and refuges varying from 53 to 625,000 acres, with several areas available for public hunting and trapping. For more information: TNWildlife.org.

Fishing is a year-round sport in Tennessee with 29 major reservoirs and 19,000 miles of streams. Nearby lakes in the Middle Tennessee region include Percy Priest Lake, Tims Ford Reservoir, Dale Hollow Lake, and Old Hickory Lake. Tennessee lakes have around 320 species of fish, with bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish as some of the most common fish caught. Go to TN.gov/twra/Fishing for a comprehensive list of lakes, rivers and streams, public access boat ramps, and bank fishing locations.

Thousands of acres of public hunting lands are available for Tennessee’s hunters. Before you go on your first hunt, a basic hunter’s education course is required for anyone aged 10 and older. Common game includes squirrel, turkey, waterfowl, deer, rabbit, black bear, and raccoon. Go to TWRA website, TN.gov/twra/Hunting, for dates and regulations on specified hunting seasons and quotas.

Getting your license

You may secure a hunting and a fishing license with a valid Tennessee Driver’s License or State of Tennessee issued photo identification by going to GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or at a TWRA office or vendor. Your residency will be verified through the Tennessee Department of Safety’s online system. Ages 13-15 need to have a junior hunt/fish license. Ages 16-64 require an adult license. Children aged 13 and under can fish without a license. Go to GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, Licensing and select Enroll Now to start the online application process. For more information call 615-781-6500 or email Ask.TWRA@TN.gov.

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