Tennessee Code Title 70. Wildlife Resources § 70-2-212

(a) Stocking of wildlife is declared to be a prerogative of the state. All persons desiring to stock wildlife shall first obtain a permit from the executive director. Such a permit will be issued free of charge. Applications for fish from the United States fish and wildlife service, when approved by the wildlife resources agency, shall be considered a sufficient permit for the purpose of this section.

(b) The wildlife resources agency has the power to inspect all live fish entering the state, regardless of their source, and to destroy any shipment found to be diseased, without incurring any liabilities for so doing.

(c) The agency is authorized to impose reasonable charges to defray expenses for stocking fish in private ponds. The charges may reflect the agency's costs for raising and transporting the fish together with other associated costs.