Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge proposes updates to hunting and fishing programs Changes include adding 30 days of fishing access to Crab Orchard, increasing fishing access to the entire state fishing season on Visitor, Honkers and Mangers ponds and adding clarity to the restriction of gas-powered boats for use in fishing activities (Source: Colin Baillie) By Clayton Hester | April 15, 2021 at 3:10 PM CDT - Updated April 15 at 3:10 PM
MARION, Ill. (KFVS) - Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is proposing an update to their hunting and fishing programs. Changes include:
Adding 30 days of fishing access to Crab Orchard
Increasing fishing access to the entire state fishing season on Visitor, Honkers and Mangers ponds
LES WINKELER
For The Southern
MARIONÂ â Phase one of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refugeâs face-lift is nearing completion while the second phase is on the drawing board.
The refuge staff hopes to move into its soon-to-be completed headquarters building early in 2020. The new building was constructed on the site of the old administration building on the shores of Crab Orchard Lake, just west of the current Visitor Center, located on Route 148 south of Route 13.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refugeâs administrative staff has been housed in temporary quarters since 2011.
âWe hope to accept the building by the end of the calendar year and hope to move in in January,â said Justin Sexton, refuge manager. âCOVID restrictions will slow us down, but early in 2021.â