95 Counties · 1,002 Public Access Points · 78 Lakes and RiversTennessee state record fish

Davidson County, Tennessee

Where to Buy or Rent Fishing Gear in Davidson County

Bait, tackle, rental boats and licenses in and around Davidson County.

What to bring

Tackle for Davidson County water

Three picks from the largemouth bass checklist that work for the fish here. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.

RodUgly Stik GX2 7 ft medium-heavy casting rodStiff enough to set a hook in grass, tough enough to live in a truck bed.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
ReelAbu Garcia Black Max baitcasting reelAn inexpensive baitcaster that casts cleanly once the brakes are set.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list
Soft plasticZoom Trick WormThe Tennessee standard on a Texas rig or weightless along docks and grass edges.Shop on Amazon →Why it is on the list

Spending more? The bigger purchases, compared side by side:

Closest first

Bait and tackle shops in and near Davidson County

The nearest bait, tackle and marina stores to Davidson County’s water, each with its own page, directions and phone number.

Buy it at the ramp

Marinas and bait at the water in Davidson County

Access points in Davidson County that TWRA records as carrying bait, rentals or marina services. Buying where you launch is the cheapest way to avoid a wasted trip.

Fee not listed1.5 out of 5facilitiesMarinaCommodore Yacht ClubCumberland RiverDirections and detail →36.13390, -86.92510Fee not listed1 out of 5facilitiesMarinaRock Harbor MarinaCumberland RiverDirections and detail →36.15840, -86.88540Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaElm Hill MarinaJ. Percy Priest LakeI-40 to Stewarts Ferry, proceed to marina2 ramps, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.13370, -86.62230Launch fee5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaFour Corners Boat & MarinaJ. Percy Priest LakeI-40 to Mt Juliet exit, South on 171 to Hamilton Church Road, left at light1 ramp, 3 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsrentalsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.05150, -86.56660Launch fee4 out of 5facilitiesMarina · USACEHamilton Creek MarinaJ. Percy Priest Lake1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingrestroomsaccessible parkingDirections and detail →36.12750, -86.62140Free4 out of 5facilitiesMarina · USACENashville Shores Yacht Club and MarinaJ. Percy Priest LakeI-40 to exit 221,OH Blvd to Bell Rd, right to entrance1 ramp, 2 lanescanoe / kayak landingDirections and detail →36.16110, -86.60820Free3.5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · USACEPercy Priest Marina and Yacht ClubJ. Percy Priest Lake1 ramp, 3 lanesrestroomsDirections and detail →36.11160, -86.62270Free5 out of 5facilitiesMarina · MarinaBlackjack Cove MarinaOld Hickory LakeRiverside Drive1 ramp, 1 lanefishing pierrestroomsrentalsDirections and detail →36.25110, -86.64095

The big stores

Chain stores near Davidson County

You do not have to drive far for a full tackle wall. Distances here are straight line, so the drive is longer.

Before you cast

Buying a Tennessee fishing license in Davidson County

Buy online at gooutdoorstennessee.com and the license is on your phone in a minute, nothing is mailed. Over the counter, the Davidson County Clerk in Nashville sells them, along with most Walmart stores and licensed agents in the county.

Anyone 13 and over needs a license to fish Davidson County water, and under 13 is free. If you live in Davidson County, the $10 county-of-residence license covers you on Davidson County water, though not for trout.

Gear questions

Buying and renting gear in Davidson County

Do I need a fishing license to fish in Davidson County?

Yes. Anyone 13 and over needs a Tennessee fishing license, and there is no license required for ages 12 and under. A resident annual combination hunt and fish license is $33, a resident one-day all-species license is $11, and a non-resident three-day all-species license is $40. Tennessee has no non-resident one-day license. Buy online at gooutdoorstennessee.com, from a county clerk or from a licensed agent. Licenses are digital, nothing arrives in the post.

Does my Tennessee license cover trout in Davidson County?

Not automatically. The $33 resident combination hunt and fish license does not cover trout, and neither does the county-of-residence license or the cheaper no-trout short-term options. Those need the $21 annual trout supplemental added on. The Sportsman licenses and every non-resident all-species license already include trout. There is no designated trout water in Davidson County, but it is worth knowing before you drive to a tailwater elsewhere in the state.

Where can I buy bait and tackle in Davidson County?

Finn’s Tackle Shop, 3676 Bell Rd, Nashville, live bait (minnows, shiners, leeches, worms), frozen and preserved bait, local tackle brands, rod rentals and rod storage. There is a fuller list on the Davidson County gear page, including anywhere renting boats or kayaks and the nearest big-box store.

Can I buy a fishing license in Davidson County?

Yes. County clerks, most Walmart stores and licensed agents in Davidson County sell them over the counter, and gooutdoorstennessee.com sells them 24 hours a day. The license is digital or printable, nothing is mailed.

Do I need a boat to fish Davidson County?

No. Davidson County has 3 public fishing piers and bank access at several of its parks and river crossings.

21 public boat launches in Davidson County, counted from TWRA’s own access database.

Keep going

More Davidson County water, and who fishes it

Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.