AUGUSTA – Ice conditions north of Bangor have improved in the last week but some lakes in the northern and southern parts of the state are still unsafe for recreation, the Maine Warden Service reported Wednesday.

Overall, the warden service said, ice conditions are about average for this time of the year.

Caution is still advised after the drowning of a 44-year-old man and a three-year-old boy in lakes in Manchester and Standish last week.

In Aroostook County, most lakes are frozen as a result of a series of cool nights but caution is advised in the middle or deep areas of the larger lakes that have just recently frozen.

Moosehead Lake in Greenville has just closed but wardens still caution that the lake can be unpredictable.

Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash Waterway has six to eight inches of ice. Wardens reported that Big Eagle Lake is iced over but varying water levels resulting from the new Churchill Dam could change the amount of ice.

Wardens recommended staying off the Ellsworth-area Branch, Green and Beech Hill lakes for at least another week.

In Washington County, East Grand Lake is frozen over with seven to eight inches of ice. Big Lake and West Grand Lake reportedly have similar conditions but caution is advised in deep water areas and inlet and outlet streams.

In southern Maine, Sebago Lake remains mostly open water. Bodies of water in the Belgrades area should be avoided for another week, although Noth Pond has seen some fishing activity.