Arkansas vs Tennessee fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Tennessee is $10 cheaper than Arkansas. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Tennessee is $11 cheaper than Arkansas. You need a license from age 16 in Arkansas and from 13 in Tennessee.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Arkansas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $15 | $20 |
| 3 days | $30 | $20 |
| 7 days | $60 | $30 |
| 1 year | $60 | $49 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $10.50 | $33 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Arkansas | Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 13 |
| Senior residents | Resident 65 Plus annual fishing license: $3.50 (ages 65+) Resident 65 Plus lifetime fishing license: $10.50 (ages 65+) | Resident annual senior citizen hunt/fish/trap license: $4 (ages 65+) Resident permanent senior citizen hunt/fish/trap license: $49 (ages 65+) Resident lifetime license (senior, 65+): $329 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Jun 12–18, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Arkansas fishing license · Tennessee fishing license
Shared waters
Mississippi River (Arkansas) (Tennessee rules)
Tennessee and Arkansas licenses are both honored on the flowing Mississippi River, adjacent sloughs, bayous and old river runs reachable by boat, but not wildlife management areas or the Wolf, Loosahatchie, Hatchie, Forked Deer and Obion rivers. Shared limits apply (for example 10 black bass, 50 crappie, 50 sunfish). Arkansas rules apply on Ikes Chute, Hopefield Chute, Mosquito Lake, Mound City Lake, Island 40 Chute and Lake Neark. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Arkansas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
Black bass |
| Trout |
bag 5 in total; no more than 2 brown, 2 cutthroat and 2 brook |
bag 7 in total, only 2 of them lake trout |
| Walleye |
bag 6 |
16" minimum; bag 5 |
| Crappie |
bag 30 |
10" minimum; bag 15 in total (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Catfish |
Catfish (except bullhead) |
Only 1 may be over 34"; bag No limit under 34" |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass |
Striped and hybrid striped bass |
Questions
Is a Arkansas fishing license valid in Tennessee?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Mississippi River (Arkansas).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Arkansas or Tennessee?
1 day (fresh water): Arkansas $15, Tennessee $20. 1 year (fresh water): Arkansas $60, Tennessee $49.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Arkansas and Tennessee?
You need a license from age 16 in Arkansas and from 13 in Tennessee.