Rules and Policies
To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please adhere to the following regulations. Visitors participating in hunting and fishing activities must adhere to all Refuge specific regulations and North Dakota State hunting and fishing regulations.
Road Access and Vehicle Use
Roads Open to Public Use
North Lake Road - open year-round
Point Road is open, if passable, until November 1.
Prairie Lake Auto Tour - open May 1 through September 30
Vehicle Use
Off road vehicles and snowmobiles are not permitted on the Refuge.
Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
Vehicles must be parked in designated parking lots or pull outs.
General Hunting Information
The Refuge is open to deer hunting and a late-season hunt for pheasants.
Hunting waterfowl or any other species is prohibited.
There is no retrieval zone on the Refuge.
Easement refuges located adjacent to Tewaukon NWR are closed to hunting.
Hunting and is allowed in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on national wildlife refuges.
Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with Refuge regulations.
Upland Game Hunting
Upland Game (partridge, pheasant, grouse, tree squirrel, rabbit, fox, coyote, skunk and racoon) hunting on the Refuge opens the first Monday after the deer gun season closes and remains open through the end of the State season, or March 31.
General Upland Game Hunting Regulations
Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting except turkey hunting.
Hunting of all upland game species is limited to half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
Dogs are only authorized on the Refuge to hunt and retrieve legally shot game birds.
Placing bait and hunting over bait is not allowed
Big Game Hunting
Big Game (white-tailed and mule deer, elk, moose, pronghorn) hunting is open during state seasons.
General Big Game Hunting Regulations
Portable tree stands, ground blinds, and trail cameras must be removed daily.
Placing bait and hunting over bait is not allowed.
Portable tree stands that have nails, screws, bolts, screw in steps, or any other object that is inserted into trees are not allowed
Wild Turkey Hunting
Wild turkey hunting is open during state seasons.
General Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations
Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting except turkey hunting.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed on Lake Tewaukon and Sprague Lake in accordance with State regulations. All other Refuge waters are closed to fishing.
Fishing from the shoreline is allowed year-round.
Fishing from a boat is allowed from May 1 through September 30. There are no motor restrictions.
With the exception of a closed area that surrounds the aerator in Lake Tewaukon, ice fishing is allowed. Please refer to the map or the signs located at the boat ramps for the location of this closed area.
Vehicle access for ice fishing is at the boat ramps.
There are no size limits for fish.
To request a printed brochure and map, contact the Refuge Manager.
Other
Pets
Pets must be under the owner’s control at all times. Pets can create disturbance to nesting birds and if out of control can harass or disturb other wildlife.
Litter
The Refuge does not have trash receptacles, you are responsible for disposing of your own trash. Do not leave anything behind. Pack it in, pack it out.
Collecting
Searching for and collecting antlers, arrowheads, rocks, and other artifacts is a violation of the Archeological Resources Protection Act and is prohibited.
Camping and Fires
Camping, open fires, and wood cutting or gathering are prohibited.
Drones
Drones may not be launched, landed, or flown over Refuge lands.