LAKELAND — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be temporarily lowering the water levels at Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge this fall to rid the lake of unwanted vegetation and to improve fishing access.

“Once we are done, it will be a big boost to fishing at the lake,” said Jim Burkhart, Refuge Ranger. “It will also allow us to replace the current water control system and to post our boundary line along the northern edge of the lake.”

A recent court decision brought an end to a dispute over boundary issues and has allowed the Wildlife Service to resume active management of the lake.