Ice fishing continues to draw the highest numbers of public use visits to Audubon National Wildlife Refuge near Coleharbor.

In 2007, more than 18,000 ice fishing visits were logged out of the total 28,000 visits to the refuge.

Refuge bays began freezing over during late November, with most of Lake Audubon becoming iced over by Monday, according to Jacie Jacobson, education coordinator at the refuge.

She said anglers are cautious venturing onto the ice, with Nelson Bay and the east end of Lake Audubon drawing the most visits thus far.

Six ice access points are available on the refuge, with each area being marked by a brown "ice access" sign.

Four of these points are found along the auto tour route on the south side of Lake Audubon, one just north of the McClusky Canal and another in the northeast corner of the refuge.

Ice safety

information

n Thin ice or open water may exist near springs and pressure ridges throughout the winter.

n Travel across the ice only on safe routes you or others have established this year.

n Be very cautious at night, and be alert to changing weather conditions.

n Ice access points often drift closed with snow, and will not be plowed open by refuge staff. Use caution when using these access points.

n Traveling on Lake Audubon ice is always hazardous and requires caution and common sense.

Ice fishing

regulations

n All vehicles, including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, are allowed on the ice, and all vehicles must stay on public roads and use designated ice access points only. This regulation is in place to minimize damage to grassland habitat, where many kinds of birds will seek nesting areas in the spring.

n Fish houses must be removed from the refuge by March 15. Portable fish houses can continue to be used until ice-out if they are removed daily.

n Fish houses may not be left unattended on refuge uplands or in parking areas.

Ice fishing brochures that contain refuge regulations are available at several refuge entrances or by accessing the Web site at http://audubon.fws.gov.

Refuge staff can be contacted at 701-442-5474.

- U.S Fish and

Wildlife Service