Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Law Library
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Code of Law.

13.01.060 Permitting

The Tribal Council has delegated its authority to the Compliance Department to establish guidelines to grant permits.

(a) Fishing Permit Limitations for Non-Members

Fishing Permits shall be required of all Non-Members choosing to enter SRMT waters and fish.

Any Non-Member, who wishes to fish within the SRMT's jurisdiction, must obtain a valid SRMT Fishing permit.

Except: a Non-Member who has not yet reached the age of sixteen (16), provided that the individual under sixteen (16) is accompanied by a Member or a Non-Member who possesses a valid SRMT Fishing Permit. The Permit holder or Member who is accompanying a Non- Member who is less than sixteen (16) years of age shall not exceed the daily limits of one individual as outlined in Appendix A.

A Non-Member shall not Sport Fish, Fish, or Catch and Release during the Closed Season as outlined in Appendix A for any species within the tributary waterways of the St. Lawrence River known as the St. Regis River and Raquette River from the (mouth) location as those waterways enter the St. Lawrence River upstream through the SRMT's jurisdiction.

Except: a Non-Member may Fish, Sport Fish or Catch and Release as long as the Non- Member is accompanied by a Registered Member Guide during the closed season.

(b) Permit Application Requirements for Non-Members

(Appendix C and the Compliance Department may amend it)

A Non-Member applicant must complete all required information on the application to be considered for a SRMT Fishing Permit. A Non-Member must submit an application containing at a minimum the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Address
  • Driver's license number
  • Phone Numbers: Home, and Cell (one (1) is required)
  • Date of Birth

Once the application is completed return it to either the Compliance Department or a Registered Fishing Agent,

(1) Sign the application and accept the jurisdiction of the Tribe and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court ("Court").

(2) If applying for a season-long Permit, a non-refundable application fee of (Amount TBD) to the Compliance Department or Registered Fishing Agent along with the application or if applying for a three-day (3) pass then a non-refundable Amount TBD application fee to the Compliance Department or Registered Fishing Agent along with the application. Application fees are listed on Appendix A.

(c) License Denial

The Tribe reserves the right to deny any request for a SRMT Fishing Permit for the following reasons:

(1) The omission of inaccurate or incomplete information on the application; or

(2) A determination that the individual applicant would not likely comply with this chapter, or other tribal laws; or

(3) The Compliance Department may deny a request for a Fishing Permit for any other reason as long as a justification is provided for the denial.

If an application is denied, the Compliance Department shall notify the applicant of the denial by registered and regular mail within thirty (30) days for applicants located in the United States. For any applicant residing outside of the United States regular mail only shall be used.

(d) Registered Fishing Agent

(1) Individual Mohawks or Tribal Members may apply to become a Registered Fishing Agent of the SRMT by filling out an application with the SRMT Compliance Inspector at the Compliance department.

(2) Each Registered Fishing Agent is required to submit a monthly report to the Compliance Department as outlined in Appendix E attached hereto and made a part hereof. The monthly report shall contain the following information:

(A) Number of applications distributed and approved;

(B) Application Date;

(C) Total number of completed applications and

(D) Total amount of fees collected

(3) Each Registered Fishing Agent must return each completed fishing permit application along with the imposed fee collected to the Compliance Department within ten (10) business days of the preceding month for any completed fishing permit application and fees sold. Based upon the Compliance Department's discretion, failure to return such fees and applications in a timely manner may result in the suspension of Tribal Member as a Registered Fishing Agent.

(4) The SRMT Compliance Department shall have the sole discretion to determine the eligibility requirements for Registered Fishing Agents and shall have the sole discretion to determine whether to certify someone as a Registered Fishing Agent. This determination may not be appealed. Any Tribal Member may obtain an application to become a Registered Fishing Agent from the Compliance Department. By becoming a Registered Fishing Agent, he or she shall have certain duties and responsibilities as outlined herein.

(e) Charter Boat Operators / Guides

Charter Fishing Boat Operators and Fishing Guide Applicants - A person desiring to be a Charter Boat Operator or a Fishing Guide on the waters of the Tribe must first apply for a permit and certify to the following requirements and conditions within their registered jurisdiction. The fee is $250.00 for Non-Residents. Resident Member Mohawks or SRMT members application fees shall be $25.00 per season. All applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

(1) Display of Charter Boat/Fishing Guide Permit. While operating as a Charter Boat or Fishing Guide, Charter Boat Operators and Fishing Guides must display their SRMT permits on a hat or an outer garment in plain view. Charter Boat Operators and Fishing Guides must present their Charter Boat/Fishing Guide permits upon the request of a Waterways Compliance Officer (WCO) authorized to enforce this chapter.

(2) Possession of a valid SRMT Fishing License. All Non-Resident non-Mohawk or SRMT members Charter Boat Operators and their crew members and Fishing Guides must possess valid SRMT Fishing License and the permits required for the waters in which they fish. Charter Boat Operators and Fishing Guides are responsible for ensuring that their employees, passengers and customers possess a valid SRMT fishing license and any appropriate SRMT permits.

(f) Permit Renewal

Each holder of an annual Fishing Permit must complete a new application on an annual basis. Each year-long Permit Expires OCTOBER 10th of the year in which it was issued (A Permit Does NOT Permit out of season harvesting or sport fishing on Tribal Waters).

(Please see Appendix A - Seasons)