North Carolina vs Tennessee fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Tennessee is $9 cheaper than North Carolina. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Tennessee is $7 cheaper than North Carolina. You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina 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 | North Carolina | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $29 | $20 |
| 3 days | $29 | $20 |
| 7 days | $29 | $30 |
| 1 year | $56 | $49 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $32 | $33 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| North Carolina | Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 13 |
| Senior residents | Age 70 resident lifetime inland fishing license: $20 (ages 70+) | 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 | Sun, Jul 4, 2027 Not yet announced | Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Jun 12–18, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | 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: North Carolina fishing license · Tennessee fishing license
Shared waters
Calderwood Reservoir and Slick Rock Creek (Tennessee) (North Carolina rules)
North Carolina and Tennessee licenses are both honored on Calderwood Reservoir (from a boat) and on the part of Slick Rock Creek that forms the state line. Secondary source: NC inland fishing, hunting and trapping digest 2026-27 (online edition)2
Calderwood Reservoir and Slickrock Creek (North Carolina) (Tennessee rules)
Tennessee and North Carolina licenses are both recognized on Calderwood Reservoir when fishing from a boat, and on the part of Slickrock Creek that forms the state line. 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 | North Carolina | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass |
| Walleye |
No minimum; bag 8 |
16" minimum; bag 5 |
| Crappie |
No statewide minimum (8" on many named waters); bag No statewide limit (20 on many named waters) |
10" minimum; bag 15 in total (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass and bodie bass (inland) Striped bass (coastal): set each year |
Striped and hybrid striped bass |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a North Carolina fishing license valid in Tennessee?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Calderwood Reservoir and Slick Rock Creek (Tennessee); Calderwood Reservoir and Slickrock Creek (North Carolina).
Which is cheaper for visitors, North Carolina or Tennessee?
1 day (fresh water): North Carolina $29, Tennessee $20. 1 year (fresh water): North Carolina $56, Tennessee $49.
At what age do you need a fishing license in North Carolina and Tennessee?
You need a license from age 16 in North Carolina and from 13 in Tennessee.