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Arrowwood
National Wildlife Refuge
Fishing Information
General Refuge Information
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of over 540 Refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands set aside specifically for wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Refuge System is a living heritage, preserving wildlife and habitat for people today and for generations to come.
The Refuge headquarters is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays.
The Refuge headquarters can be reached via Highway 281 by going east from Edmunds on 11 Street SE for 5 miles. To reach the Refuge headquarters from Kensal, take Highway 9 south to 11 Street SE, then travel west for 51/2 miles.
What You Need to Know
■ Fishing on the Refuge is permitted in accordance with State and Refuge regulations. Become familiar with all special Refuge regulations and access restrictions before entering the Refuge.
■ Refuge fisheries are temporary and sporadic in nature. The Refuge fishing program is designed to allow fishing access when the fishery develops. Fish occur in Refuge impoundments largely as a result of the management operations of the Jamestown Reservoir. Fish enter the Refuge during high water events.
■ Refuge impoundments are shallow and very productive, and fish grow rapidly. Unfortunately, these impoundments are subject to winterkill, which rapidly terminates the Refuge fishery. When winterkill occurs, fish may naturally restock very quickly, or it may take years before Refuge waters again provide fishing opportunities.
■ All fish permitted to be taken under State fishing regulations are legal on Arrowwood NWR. Species that may be present include northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, crappie, white sucker, big-mouth buffalo, and carp. Several non-game minnow species also inhabit Refuge waters.
■ Regulations are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and must be observed in all Refuge fishing areas.
Boat Fishing Regulations
■ Motorized boats are restricted to Arrowwood and Jim Lakes and are allowed from May 1 through September 30 of each fishing year.
■ Boats are restricted to a maximum of 25 horsepower.
■ Primitive boat launch facilities are located in the Highway 9 right-of-way at the north end of Arrowwood Lake in the Warbler Woodland Watchable Wildlife Area, and at the southwest corner of Jim Lake.
Boat Access and Areas
■ Arrowwood Lake Boat Fishing Area extends from the inlet channel on the north to the water control structure on the south. Boats are prohibited from entering the drawdown channel inlet. A primitive boat launch, rest rooms, and tables are located in the Warbler Woodland Watchable Wild-life Area.
■ Jim Lake Boat Fishing Area extends from Humpback Road on the north to the water control structure on the south. A primitive boat launch is located at the southwest corner of the lake.
■ Only non-motorized boats may be used on Mud Lake.
Bank Fishing Regulations
■ Bank fishing is permitted along the major road right-of-ways during the entire North Dakota State fishing season.
■ Bank fishing' on interior portions of the Refuge is permitted from May 1 through September 30 of each fishing year. Interior bank fishing areas are walk-in only, and the area around the Refuge headquarters is closed to public entry.
■ Access to water control structures is by foot travel only along' established trails.
■ Fishing is permitted in the Refuge bypass channel during' the regular State fishing season. Foot access to the channel along maintenance trails is permitted from June 1 through September 30 of each fishing year.
Bank Fishing Areas
■ Highway 9 Bank Fishing Area is open from the railroad crossing' on the north to the south highway right-of-way boundary.
■ North Arrowwood Lake Bank Fishing Area extends from the north Highway 9 right-of-way boundary to the cross fence at the south end of the access trail.
■ Warbler Woodland Watchable Wildlife Area is open to bank fishing. Rest rooms and tables are available. Help keep your Refuge clean by removing all trash when you leave. This area is open to clay use only.
■ 11th Street SE is open to fishing along the road right-of-way, and walk-in fishing access is permitted to the Arrowwood Lake Dam.
■ Auto Tour Route Fishing Access Area is open from the bank at designated points along the Mud Lake River channel.
■ Humpback Road is open to fishing along the right-of-way.
■ South Jim Lake Bank Fishing Area extends from the Pingree Road right-of-way on the south to the end of the access trail on the north. A primitive boat launch is available.
■ Depuy Marsh Dam is open to fishing along the east and west banks of the dam. Access is by walk-in only.
■ Bypass Channel Dikes are open to fishing along the bypass channels and is walk-in only.
Bow Fishing
■ Bow fishing for rough fish is permitted along road right-of-way and drawdown channels in accordance with State regulations.
■ Bow fishing is open on the Refuge from May 1 through September 30 of each fishing year.
■ Spear fishing is not permitted.
Winter Fishing Access
■ Arrowwood and Jim Lakes, and the extreme southern portion of Mud Lake, are open to winter fishing. Fish houses and vehicles (no snowmobiles or ATV's) are permitted on the ice as conditions allow. Fish houses must be removed no later than March 15. Portable houses can be removed daily and are permitted for use after March 15.
Special Regulations
■ Snowmobiles and ATV's are prohibited on the Refuge.
■ Open fires and camping are not permitted on the Refuge.
■ Do not block access points with vehicles or trailers.
■ Water activities not related to fishing (sailing, skiing, tubing, etc.) are prohibited.
■ Fireworks and firearms are prohibited.
■ Pets must be under the owner's control at all times.
■ Vehicles are restricted to established trails open to public use.
■ Please pack your trash home.
Accessibility Information
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 for a free connection to the State transfer relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact the Refuge staff at 701/ 285 3341 or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
[image: map of Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge]
Refuge Signs and Their Meaning
[image: Boundary Sign with a picture of a goose]
Refuge Boundary
Areas beyond this sign are only open to permitted activities. Regulations and further information are available at the Refuge headquarters.
[image: Fishing area marker with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Sevice logo]
Public Fishing Area
Areas beyond this sign are open to public fishing under State regulations.
[image: Area closed marker with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo]
Area Beyond this Sign Closed
These areas are closed to all public entry.
[image: Blue drawing of a goose in flight]
This blue goose, designed by J.N. "Ding" Darling, has become the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge 774511th St. SE
Pingree, ND 58476
701 / 285 3341
701 / 285 3350 fax arrowwood@fws.gov http://arrowwood.fws.gov
For State transfer relay service TTY / Voice: 711
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge Information 1 800 / 344 WILD
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