Fishing License Guide for Sumner County, Tennessee

For most fishing in Sumner County, you need a Tennessee fishing license issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Anglers younger than 13 generally may fish without a license. Residents ages 13 and older can choose from options such as a county-of-residence license, one-day license or annual license; nonresidents can purchase short-term or annual licenses. Buy through Go Outdoors Tennessee, a TWRA license agent or a TWRA regional office. Check the current TWRA fee table and regulations before fishing.

If you plan to fish in Gallatin, on Old Hickory Lake or elsewhere in Sumner County, start with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Tennessee fishing licenses are issued through the state system—not by the City of Gallatin or Sumner County—and the license you need depends mainly on your age, residency, whether you plan to fish for trout and how long you will fish.

Most anglers can buy a license online through Go Outdoors Tennessee, from a TWRA license agent or at a TWRA regional office. TWRA says licenses are generally valid from the purchase date through 365 days later, although readers should confirm the expiration date shown at checkout.

> Last verified: August 15, 2026. Authorities checked: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Go Outdoors Tennessee. Fees, agent availability and fishing regulations can change.

What license do you need to fish in Sumner County?

For a typical fishing trip in Sumner County, choose the license that matches these four questions:

1. Are you a Tennessee resident or a nonresident?
2. How old is the angler?
3. Are you fishing for trout?
4. Are you fishing at a location with an additional permit requirement?

The ordinary choice for a Tennessee resident fishing for bass, crappie, catfish or other non-trout species may be an annual combination hunt/fish license, a one-day fishing license or a county-of-residence fishing license. The county-of-residence option is more limited: it is for fishing in the angler’s county of residence with natural bait and does not allow minnows or artificial lures. A trout supplemental license is required when applicable.

Visitors from outside Tennessee generally select a nonresident fishing license based on the length of the trip and whether trout are included. TWRA lists three-day, 10-day and annual nonresident fishing options, with separate prices for licenses that include trout.

Tennessee fishing license options at a glance

Angler situation — Common license or exemption — What to know

Tennessee resident, ages 16–64 — Annual combination hunt/fish, one-day fishing or another eligible fishing license — The correct choice depends on trip length and species.

Tennessee resident, age 13–15 — Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license or another eligible license — TWRA lists a junior license for ages 13–15.

Tennessee resident fishing only in the county of residence — County-of-residence fishing license — Natural bait is allowed; minnows and artificial lures are not. Trout requires a supplemental license.

Nonresident visitor, age 16 or older — Three-day, 10-day or annual nonresident fishing license — Select no-trout or all-species coverage based on the trip.

Angler under age 13 — License exemption — TWRA says resident and nonresident youth under 13 may fish without a license anywhere in Tennessee, although special permits may still apply.

Tennessee resident age 65 or older — Senior license or applicable exemption — TWRA lists annual and permanent senior citizen hunt/fish/trap licenses. Proof of age and residency may be required.

The fee table below summarizes amounts currently listed by TWRA. Processing fees may apply, and the agency states that license fees are subject to change.

Tennessee resident options

TWRA currently lists these commonly relevant resident fees:

• Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap, ages 13–15: $9.
• One-day fishing, no trout, ages 13–64: $6.
• One-day fishing, all species, ages 16–64: $11.
• Annual combination hunt/fish, ages 16–64: $33.
• Annual trout supplemental license: $21.
• County-of-residence fishing, no trout, ages 13 and older: $10.
• Annual senior citizen hunt/fish/trap: $4.
• Permanent senior citizen hunt/fish/trap: $49.

These are TWRA-listed prices, not a separate Sumner County fee schedule. Check the checkout screen for the final charge, including any processing fee.

Nonresident and visitor options

TWRA currently lists these nonresident fishing choices for anglers age 16 and older:

• Three-day fishing, no trout: $20.
• Three-day fishing, all species including trout: $40.
• 10-day fishing, no trout: $30.
• 10-day fishing, all species including trout: $61.
• Annual fishing, no trout: $49.
• Annual fishing, all species including trout: $98.

Nonresident youth ages 13–15 have separate junior license options. Youth younger than 13 generally do not need a fishing license, subject to any special permit requirements.

Who can fish without a license?

The most common exemption for families is age. TWRA says resident and nonresident anglers under age 13 may fish without a license anywhere in Tennessee. Anglers ages 13–15 do not automatically qualify for the under-13 exemption and should review the junior license options.

Other exemptions can apply in narrow circumstances, including certain Tennessee residents fishing on qualifying farmland owned or leased by the angler’s family or landlord. These rules are specific to the property, residency and family or tenant relationship. Owning land in Tennessee while living in another state does not automatically qualify a person for the farmland exemption.

Tennessee also designates an annual free fishing day and free fishing week. TWRA’s current license page lists Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day as June 6, 2026, and free fishing week for children ages 15 and younger as June 6–12, 2026. These dates are past as of this article’s August 15, 2026, publication date; check TWRA for future dates rather than relying on an old calendar..

How to buy a Tennessee fishing license

Step 1: Decide whether you are a resident

Go Outdoors Tennessee says residency for fishing and hunting purchases is generally verified through a valid Tennessee driver’s license or Tennessee-issued photo ID. Certain military, student, Native Tennessean and long-term residency situations have additional rules. A Social Security number is required by federal law to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.

Step 2: Choose no-trout or all-species coverage

If you plan to fish for trout, select a license or supplemental license that includes trout. A standard no-trout license does not become all-species coverage simply because you later decide to target trout. TWRA lists a resident trout supplemental license and nonresident all-species options.

Step 3: Buy the license online or in person

The fastest option for many anglers is the official Go Outdoors Tennessee licensing system. The portal allows customers to purchase licenses and obtain free reprints. TWRA also says most licenses are available through licensed agents and regional offices, including some county clerks, sporting-goods stores, hardware stores and boat docks..

For in-person purchases, use the official Go Outdoors Tennessee agent locator and search by Sumner County or Gallatin. Call ahead to confirm that the location sells the specific license you need and verify its hours before traveling.

Step 4: Save the license

Keep the electronic license available on your phone or retain the printed copy provided at purchase. Go Outdoors Tennessee says the electronic copy sent by email is a legal copy and that customers can request another reprint through their account.

What Sumner County anglers should know before fishing

Old Hickory Lake and other public waters

Sumner County is part of Middle Tennessee’s Region 2 for TWRA administration. Old Hickory Lake is a major local fishing destination, but a fishing license does not replace waterbody-specific regulations, access rules or boating requirements. TWRA publishes fishing guides, season information and location resources separately from the license page.

For bank-fishing ideas, TWRA’s regional bank-fishing guide includes Old Hickory Lake locations such as Martha Gallatin, Lone Branch and Shutes Branch. Use the official guide to confirm access, facilities and any site-specific information before leaving home.

Trout and special permits

A trout license or all-species license may be necessary when trout are part of the trip. Separate permits can also apply at certain TWRA lakes or specialty fishing locations. The daily TWRA lake permit, for example, applies to sport fishing on Agency lakes where required; it is not a general permit for Old Hickory Lake. Always check the current TWRA guide for the exact waterbody.

Private property permission

A fishing license does not give permission to enter private land. TWRA advises anglers to obtain the owner’s permission before fishing private property and to dispose of fishing line, bait and other waste responsibly.

First-trip checklist for families and visitors

Before fishing in Sumner County, confirm:

• The angler’s age and Tennessee residency status.
• Whether the selected license includes trout.
• Whether a junior, senior or other special license applies.
• Whether the location requires an additional permit.
• Whether the bank, ramp or shoreline is public and open for fishing.
• Whether the current TWRA guide lists special seasons, size limits or creel limits.
• That every angler who needs a license has a copy available.
• That children have appropriate supervision and personal flotation equipment when fishing from a boat or near deep water.
• That you have permission before entering private property.

For questions about Middle Tennessee fishing rules, TWRA lists its Region 2 office at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville. The office phone is 615-781-6622, with a toll-free number of 1-800-624-7406.

Official next step

Start with the Go Outdoors Tennessee licensing portal, then review TWRA’s current fishing guide for the exact waterbody you plan to visit. For a Sumner County trip, that usually means checking both your license category and the rules for Old Hickory Lake or the specific shoreline, ramp or stream you intend to use.

This guide is part of MyGallatin’s Old Hickory Lake Skills & Safety coverage. Recheck the official TWRA fee table, agent locator and 2026–27 fishing guide before publication and before each fishing season.