[Fishaholic]

Here is an excerpt from the Attorney General I found which may clarify things

It is the opinion of this Office that TWRA’s administrative interpretation, which exempts
fishing guides, charter boat operators and tournament fishermen from the definition of “commercial
fisher,” should be credited. Recreational, or sport, fishing is not defined under Tennessee’s wildlife
statutes or the regulations.And, unlike some states, Tennessee does not separately license or
regulate fishing guides. Charter boat operators, who take passengers and travel traditionally
navigable waterways, are generally subject to federal rather than state regulation. Although persons
who pursue these occupations may receive compensation for assisting others in taking fish from the
waters of the state, we believe the text of the statute on this point is sufficiently ambiguous that a
court would give deference to the agency’s construction of Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-2-205(b)(1).

So the way I interpret it is Tennessee does not require licensing but USCG which is Federal does. TWRA should know that and have advised you correctly, but then again I can't tell you how many times I have asked them a question and gotten misinformation.
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