Bowfishing Laws in Tennessee: What You Need to Know Before You Shoot

Bowfishing in Tennessee is a legitimate and growing sport, but it comes with a specific set of rules you need to understand before you ever nock an arrow. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) draws clear lines between what you can shoot, where you can shoot it, and what gear is legal — and getting any of those wrong can turn a fun trip into a costly violation.

Whether you’re targeting invasive carp on a Cumberland River backwater or chasing gar on a warm summer night, this guide walks you through every layer of Tennessee’s bowfishing regulations so you can stay legal and enjoy the water.

Is Bowfishing Legal in Tennessee

Yes, bowfishing is legal in Tennessee. Bowfishing is permitted for non-game species like carp and gar, but is off-limits for game fish. That single distinction — game fish versus non-game fish — is the foundation of nearly every bowfishing rule in the state, so it’s worth understanding before anything else.

The TWRA governs all bowfishing activity under the same authority that manages rod-and-reel fishing. That means the same agency enforcing bass limits and trout permits is also the one setting the rules for your bowfishing rig. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency enforces specific fishing regulations to protect fish populations and ensure sustainable fishing.

Key Insight: Bowfishing in Tennessee is legal year-round for non-game species, but it is never legal to shoot game fish — not even accidentally. If you arrow a bass or crappie, you may still face a violation.

For a broader look at how Tennessee manages its wildlife resources, the hunting laws in Tennessee cover related regulations that often intersect with bowfishing rules, particularly around archery equipment and restricted areas.

What Fish Can You Bowfish for in Tennessee

Nongame fish may be taken without limit. Game fish, Sturgeon, and Alligator Gar may not be taken. Catfish and Paddlefish may be harvested according to local limits. That framework gives you a wide range of legal targets while protecting species the state actively manages.

Common legal bowfishing targets in Tennessee include:

• Common carp and bighead carp
• Grass carp (check local water restrictions)
• Buffalo fish (smallmouth, bigmouth, and black)
• Longnose gar and spotted gar (note: Alligator Gar is prohibited)
• Bowfin (mudfish)
• Drum (freshwater)
• Suckers (various species)

Game fish, catfish over 34 inches, sturgeon, and paddlefish cannot be taken by bow. This is a firm statewide prohibition — no exceptions apply based on location or season for these species.

Important Note: Alligator Gar is specifically protected and cannot be taken by bow anywhere in Tennessee. Do not confuse it with longnose or spotted gar, which are legal targets.

Tennessee has also been aggressive about invasive carp management. TWRA implemented the Tennessee Carp Harvest Incentive Program (TCHIP) in September 2018 with the assistance of the commercial fishing industry. Invasive Carp removal is an integral part of the effort to prevent Silver Carp expansion and control Invasive Carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Bowfishers targeting invasive carp are directly supporting that conservation effort.

If you enjoy pursuing wildlife with archery equipment, the bow hunting laws in Tennessee outline how archery regulations apply in a hunting context, which can be useful background for understanding how TWRA approaches archery-based take across different activity types.

Bowfishing License Requirements in Tennessee

A standard fishing license is all you need to bowfish in Tennessee — there is no separate bowfishing-specific permit. However, the standard licensing rules fully apply. All bowfishers in Tennessee must possess a valid fishing license issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

Tennessee requires most anglers aged 13 and older to carry a valid fishing license issued by the TWRA, with fees starting as low as $10 for resident county-of-residence fishing and $20 for a non-resident three-day permit.

Here is a breakdown of common license options relevant to bowfishers, reflecting TWRA pricing as reported by sources from early 2026:

License Type	Who It Covers	Approximate Cost
County of Residence Fishing	Residents fishing in their home county only	$10/year
Resident Annual Fishing (Statewide)	Residents fishing all public waters	$33/year
Annual Sportsman License	Residents — fishing, hunting, and trapping statewide	$165/year
Non-Resident Annual (No Trout)	Non-residents, all waters except trout	$49/year
Non-Resident 3-Day	Non-residents on short trips	$20
Senior Lifetime (65+)	Tennessee residents 65 and older	$50 (one-time)

Residents and non-residents under the age of 13 are completely exempt from holding a fishing license of any kind. They still need to follow all other fishing regulations, including size and bag limits.

Fishing without a valid license in Tennessee is a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in fines and potential license revocation. Don’t risk it — licenses are available 24/7. Licenses are available at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, via the TWRA On The Go mobile app, or at thousands of retail agents statewide including sporting goods stores, bait shops, and some grocery stores.

Pro Tip: If you bowfish frequently and also hunt, the Annual Sportsman License at $165 bundles fishing, hunting, and trapping statewide — including trout — making it the best value for serious outdoors participants.

Legal Bowfishing Equipment in Tennessee

Tennessee’s equipment rules for bowfishing are straightforward but non-negotiable. All bowfishing gear must include a retrieval line, and crossbows cannot be used for fishing. Those two rules eliminate the most common equipment questions right away.

Legal bowfishing equipment includes:

• Recurve bows, compound bows, and longbows rigged for bowfishing
• Bowfishing-specific arrows with barbed or judo-style points
• A reel (drum reel, spin-cast reel, or retriever reel) attached to the bow
• A retrieval line connecting the arrow to the reel — this is mandatory

The following are prohibited:

• Crossbows — explicitly banned for fishing under TWRA regulations
• Spearguns — not classified as bowfishing equipment
• Any firearm or air gun used to take fish

Shooting with any type of firearm or air gun to injure or take fish or turtles is prohibited. This rule is separate from the crossbow ban but reinforces the same principle: only traditional archery equipment with a retrieval line qualifies as legal bowfishing gear.

Bows specifically designed for bowfishing are typically heavier and more durable than traditional bows, allowing for greater accuracy and power. While you are not required to use a purpose-built bowfishing bow, the retrieval line requirement means your setup must accommodate a reel system — which standard hunting bows can be modified to accept.

Common Mistake: Many archers assume their crossbow qualifies for bowfishing since it shoots a projectile. It does not. TWRA explicitly prohibits crossbows for fishing in Tennessee. Using one could result in a violation even if you only shoot non-game species.

Spearfishing is legal for non-game fish, but only while the angler is fully submerged and during daylight hours. This is a separate method from bowfishing and has its own distinct rules — the two should not be confused.

Where You Can and Cannot Bowfish in Tennessee

Tennessee’s public waters are generally open to bowfishing for non-game species, but there are specific exclusion zones and restricted areas you must know before heading out.

Bowfishing is prohibited within 100 yards below dams and in some special management areas. This buffer zone applies statewide and is strictly enforced, particularly near TVA and Army Corps of Engineers structures.

Additional location-specific restrictions include:

• Seasonal closures on certain tributaries: Grabbling, gigging, archery, crossbow, and speargun are prohibited on specific waters from January 1 through April 30, including Dale Hollow Reservoir’s East Fork Obey River and its tributaries, and Norris Reservoir between certain river mile markers on both the Powell River arm and the Clinch River arm.
• Additional closed tributaries (Jan. 1–Apr. 30): The Elk River in Carter County from the Highway 321 Bridge downstream to River Mile 3.0 on the Elk River arm of Watauga Reservoir, Doe Creek from Old Cabin Private Road downstream to Roan Creek, and Roan Creek from Mountain Lakes Estates Bridge downstream to Doe Creek.
• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Some waters in Tennessee require additional compliance measures as they are classified as managed or restricted areas, including Wildlife Management Areas. Always check WMA-specific rules before bowfishing.
• Reelfoot Lake: This lake has special management rules. Reelfoot Lake requires a separate Preservation Permit for anyone using the lake, though anglers under 16, residents 65 and older, and lifetime or sportsman license holders are exempt.

Waters that are generally productive and open to bowfishing include major reservoirs like Kentucky Lake, Pickwick Lake, Old Hickory Lake, and the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems, where non-game species like carp and gar are abundant.

Important Note: “Open to fishing” does not automatically mean “open to bowfishing.” Always verify the specific water body’s rules through the TWRA official regulations guide before you go, as individual lakes can carry additional restrictions.

Understanding where you can and cannot engage in outdoor activities with animals is a theme across Tennessee law. For related context, the wildlife removal laws in Tennessee explain how the state handles protected and nuisance species on both public and private land.

Night Bowfishing Rules in Tennessee

Night bowfishing is one of the most popular ways to pursue carp and gar in Tennessee, and the good news is that TWRA does not impose a statewide ban on nighttime bowfishing. There is no explicit prohibition against bowfishing after dark for non-game species on most public waters.

However, several important rules apply when you’re on the water at night:

• All standard bowfishing rules remain in effect — legal species, retrieval line, and no crossbows apply equally day and night.
• Boating safety rules are strictly enforced. All boaters and passengers must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket within the area designated and appropriately marked as a hazardous area below any dam and/or lock.
• The 100-yard dam exclusion zone applies at night just as it does during the day.
• Spearfishing, which is a related but separate method, is explicitly restricted to daylight hours. Spearfishing is legal for non-game fish, but only while the angler is fully submerged and during daylight hours. This does not apply to bowfishing, but it illustrates TWRA’s general approach to method-specific time restrictions.

Practically speaking, a bowfishing boat equipped with bright submersible or above-water lights is standard for night fishing and is not prohibited under TWRA regulations. Many bowfishers find spring and early summer nights on shallow flats to be the most productive time to target spawning carp and cruising gar.

Pro Tip: Before night bowfishing on any specific lake or Wildlife Management Area water, call your regional TWRA office to confirm no local restrictions apply. Some managed lakes have after-dark access limitations that are not always reflected in the general statewide proclamation.

If you plan to bowfish at night from private shoreline or access points, Tennessee’s broader property and animal-related laws may also be relevant. The roadkill laws in Tennessee and dog leash laws in Tennessee are examples of how the state regulates human-animal interactions across different contexts.

Saltwater Bowfishing Rules in Tennessee

Tennessee is a landlocked state with no ocean coastline, so there are no saltwater bowfishing regulations under TWRA jurisdiction. All bowfishing in Tennessee takes place in freshwater environments — rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds — and is governed entirely by the freshwater rules described throughout this guide.

If you are a Tennessee resident planning a saltwater bowfishing trip to a neighboring coastal state, you will need to follow that state’s specific regulations. Each state issues its own licenses, and each state issues its own fishing licenses and they are not valid in other states. A Tennessee fishing license does not authorize you to bowfish in Gulf Coast or Atlantic waters.

There is one relevant reciprocal agreement worth noting for border waters: thanks to a reciprocal license agreement between Tennessee and North Carolina, fishing in Tennessee with an NC fishing license is permitted. This applies to border waters shared between the two states, though bowfishers should confirm which specific waters and species are covered under that agreement.

For Tennessee residents who fish near state borders, it is also worth reviewing the regulations of neighboring states. The laws in Kentucky and other adjacent states each have their own frameworks for fishing and wildlife take that differ from Tennessee’s rules.

Key Insight: Tennessee has no saltwater, so “saltwater bowfishing” is not a category that exists under TWRA rules. All bowfishing in the state is freshwater bowfishing. If you see references to “saltwater species” in Tennessee fishing guides, they typically refer to anadromous or introduced species in large river systems — not ocean fishing.

For the most current and water-specific regulations, always consult the official TWRA Fishing Regulations page before your trip, as rules for individual water bodies can change with each annual proclamation. You can also purchase your license and check for updates through the GoOutdoorsTennessee.com portal or the TWRA On The Go mobile app.

Bowfishing is one of the more accessible ways to get on Tennessee’s water, and the state’s abundant non-game fish populations — particularly invasive carp — give you plenty of legal targets. Know your species, carry your license, attach your retrieval line, and stay out of the exclusion zones. Do those four things, and you are in good shape under Tennessee law.