Standing Rock Game & Fish Program

Goals & Objectives

The Standing Rock Game & Fish Department is committed to the responsible and progressive management of the Tribe’s natural resources to ensure their continued health, diversity, and sustainability for present and future generations. The Department recognizes that fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats can be managed effectively without overexploiting individual species.

Fish and wildlife are renewable resources that can and should be responsibly harvested within sustainable limits. The Department's management program is guided by the following principles and objectives:

Natural Resource Management Objectives

  1. Protect and Sustain Fish and Wildlife Resources
    The primary objective of this management plan is to maintain fish, wildlife, and non-game species in sufficient numbers and variety to meet the present and future economic, recreational, nutritional, and aesthetic needs of Tribal members.

  2. Provide Recreational Opportunities
    Once the consumptive needs of Tribal members have been adequately addressed, additional consumptive and non-consumptive recreational opportunities may be made available to other parties when appropriate and approved by the Tribe.

  3. Recognize Renewable Resources
    Fish and wildlife are renewable natural resources that are sensitive to changes in land use, weather patterns, habitat conditions, and other environmental factors. Management strategies will account for natural population fluctuations and changing environmental conditions.

  4. Maintain Sustainable Game Populations
    Game animal populations will be managed at or near the carrying capacity of available habitat, while maintaining healthy and sustainable populations. The Department will strive to achieve optimal sustainable harvest levels and maximize population surpluses through annual harvests or other appropriate management practices.

  5. Protect and Manage Fisheries
    Fish populations will be maintained to provide recreational, aesthetic, cultural, and nutritional benefits to Tribal members. Providing Tribal members with reasonable access to fish populations will remain an important component of fisheries management.

    Fisheries management may also include other activities and programs, including hatchery operations, habitat improvement, and commercial baitfish operations, as appropriate.

  6. Monitor and Evaluate Management Practices
    The Standing Rock Game & Fish Department will continually evaluate its fish and wildlife management goals, objectives, and practices. Management decisions will be informed by monitoring targeted populations, evaluating environmental conditions, and considering the needs, interests, and priorities of Tribal members.

Our Commitment

The Standing Rock Game & Fish Department seeks to provide the maximum possible outdoor recreational opportunities while protecting, conserving, and responsibly managing the Tribe's natural resources.

Through sound science, responsible stewardship, active management, and consideration of Tribal member needs, the Department is committed to ensuring that Standing Rock's fish, wildlife, and natural habitats remain healthy and productive for generations to come.