Ardoch National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota is centered on Lake Ardoch, a reservoir, and is managed as part of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District. Established in 1939 amid declining waterfowl populations and the economic strains of the Great Depression, it was created as a limited-interest refuge. Most of its protected habitat remains privately owned, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses easements to manage water levels, wildlife habitat, and hunting restrictions. The refuge originally consisted of 2,696 acres of flowage and refuge easements and 288 acres of federally owned land, later adjusted by removing 80 easement acres and adding 20 fee-title acres. Because of this arrangement, public access is limited to views from nearby public roads.