Read from Department of Natural Resources on August 23, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
Open the official Michigan regulationsHunting Michigan this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Michigan is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through February 15, 2027, with 46 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Sep 26 – Nov 22 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 2 Sept. 26–Nov. 9; no more than 1 Nov. 10–22. | 18 |
| Nov 28 – Nov 29 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1. | 18 | |
| Middle Zone2,4,5 | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1 (Oct. 3–18), no more than 2 (Oct. 19–Nov. 29). | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Dec 13 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 2. | 18 | |
| South Zone2,5,6 | Oct 17 – Dec 13 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1 (Oct. 17–Nov. 1), no more than 2 (Nov. 2–Dec. 13). | 18 |
| Dec 26 – Dec 27 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 2. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup Middle Zone · No more than 1 scaup Oct. 3–18; no more than 2 scaup Oct. 19–Nov. 29 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · No more than 1 scaup Nov. 28–29 | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · No more than 2 scaup Sept. 26–Nov. 9; no more than 1 scaup Nov. 10–22 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · No more than 2 scaup Dec. 26–27 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Middle Zone · No more than 2 scaup Dec. 12–13 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · No more than 1 scaup Oct. 17–Nov. 1; no more than 2 scaup Nov. 2–Dec. 13 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Middle Zone · No more than 1 scaup Oct. 3–18; no more than 2 scaup Oct. 19–Nov. 29 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · No more than 1 scaup Nov. 28–29 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · No more than 2 scaup Sept. 26–Nov. 9; no more than 1 scaup Nov. 10–22 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · No more than 2 scaup Dec. 26–27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Middle Zone · No more than 2 scaup Dec. 12–13 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · No more than 1 scaup Oct. 17–Nov. 1; no more than 2 scaup Nov. 2–Dec. 13 | 2 | 6 |
14 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 2 Sept. 26–Nov. 9; no more than 1 Nov. 10–22.
2Coot and merganser also open concurrently per same table row.
34 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1.
44 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1 (Oct. 3–18), no more than 2 (Oct. 19–Nov. 29).
54 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 2.
64 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup: no more than 1 (Oct. 17–Nov. 1), no more than 2 (Nov. 2–Dec. 13).
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 | 6 Blue-winged teal and green-winged teal only. Bag limits same as regular duck season. | 18 |
1Blue-winged teal and green-winged teal only. Bag limits same as regular duck season.
2Hunting hours begin at sunrise (differs from regular season which is 1/2 hour before sunrise).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 |
| Middle Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Dec 18 Second Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 | |
| South Zone1,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 13 Second Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 | |
| Dec 26 – Jan 3 Third Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 | |
| Feb 6 – Feb 15 Fourth Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. | 15 | |
| Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU4,5 | Oct 20 – Dec 19 | 5 Dark goose aggregate: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant combined; only 1 brant per day. Hunting by drawing only; Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. (morning), Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. (afternoon). Closed Thanksgiving Day. | 15 |
| Allegan County GMU2,6,7,8,9,10 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 5 Dark goose aggregate: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant combined; only 1 brant per day. Fennville Farm Unit open by self-registration Sept. 1–30. | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Nov 4 Second Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. Fennville Farm Unit: open by self-registration Oct. 17–Nov. 4. | 15 | |
| Dec 19 – Feb 14 Third Split | 5 Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. Fennville Farm Unit: closed Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri; open by drawing Sat, Sun, Wed. | 15 |
1Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant.
2Dark goose season includes brant, Canada goose and white-fronted goose.
3Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU. Dark goose season includes brant, Canada goose and white-fronted goose.
4Dark goose aggregate: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant combined; only 1 brant per day. Hunting by drawing only; Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. (morning), Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. (afternoon). Closed Thanksgiving Day.
5Dry field hunting only, no water impoundments. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26, 2026). Drawing held at Muskegon State Game Area headquarters.
6Dark goose aggregate: Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant combined; only 1 brant per day. Fennville Farm Unit open by self-registration Sept. 1–30.
7Fennville Farm Unit portion open by self-registration Sept. 1–30.
8Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. Fennville Farm Unit: open by self-registration Oct. 17–Nov. 4.
9Canada goose, white-fronted goose and brant in any combination; no more than 1 brant. Fennville Farm Unit: closed Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri; open by drawing Sat, Sun, Wed.
10Dark goose season includes brant, Canada goose and white-fronted goose. Fennville Farm Unit portion closed to goose hunting Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from Dec. 19–Feb. 14; open by drawings on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. Drawings at 5:30 a.m., hunting until 4:30 p.m.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. | 60 |
| Middle Zone1,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Dec 18 Second Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. | 60 | |
| South Zone4,5 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU. | 60 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 13 Second Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU. | 60 | |
| Dec 26 – Jan 3 Third Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU. | 60 | |
| Feb 6 – Feb 15 Fourth Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU. | 60 | |
| Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU6,7 | Oct 20 – Dec 19 | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Hunting by drawing only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. | 60 |
| Allegan County GMU1,3,8 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 First Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese in any combination. | 60 |
| Oct 17 – Nov 4 Second Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. | 60 | |
| Dec 19 – Feb 14 Third Split | 20 Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese in any combination. | 60 |
1Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined.
2Light goose season includes blue goose, Ross's goose and snow goose (footnote 5).
3Light goose season includes blue goose, Ross's goose and snow goose.
4Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU.
5Footnote 6: Excludes Allegan County GMU and Muskegon County Wastewater System GMU.
6Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese combined. Hunting by drawing only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
7Dry field hunting only, no water impoundments. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26, 2026).
8Snow geese, blue-phase snow geese and Ross's geese in any combination.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Sep 26 – Nov 22 First Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 |
| Nov 28 – Nov 29 Second Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 | |
| Middle Zone1,4,5 | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Dec 13 Second Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 | |
| South Zone1,6,7 | Oct 17 – Dec 13 First Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 |
| Dec 26 – Dec 27 Second Split | 15 Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. | 45 |
1Coot: 15/day, 45 possession. Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession.
2Concurrent with North Zone duck season first split. Common gallinule bag limit is 1/day.
3Concurrent with North Zone duck season second split.
4Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season first split.
5Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season second split.
6Concurrent with South Zone duck season first split.
7Concurrent with South Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Sep 26 – Nov 22 First Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 |
| Nov 28 – Nov 29 Second Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 | |
| Middle Zone1,4,5 | Oct 3 – Nov 29 First Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Dec 13 Second Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 | |
| South Zone1,6,7 | Oct 17 – Dec 13 First Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 |
| Dec 26 – Dec 27 Second Split | 5 Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers. | 15 |
1Only 2 of the 5 may be hooded mergansers.
2Concurrent with North Zone duck season first split.
3Concurrent with North Zone duck season second split.
4Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season first split.
5Concurrent with Middle Zone duck season second split.
6Concurrent with South Zone duck season first split.
7Concurrent with South Zone duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 6 Must be a properly licensed youth hunter (16 years old or younger). Daily limits and species restrictions same as regular waterfowl hunting season. | 18 |
1Must be a properly licensed youth hunter (16 years old or younger). Daily limits and species restrictions same as regular waterfowl hunting season.
2Concurrent with Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and common gallinules may be harvested.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 6 Veterans and active-duty U.S. military personnel only. Daily limits and species restrictions same as regular waterfowl hunting season. | 18 |
1Veterans and active-duty U.S. military personnel only. Daily limits and species restrictions same as regular waterfowl hunting season.
2Concurrent with Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend. Ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and common gallinules may be harvested.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Dec 28 – Jan 10 First Extension | 3 Falconry only. Daily bag limit is 3 birds of single or combined species. Common gallinules, coots, ducks and mergansers only. | 9 |
| Feb 20 – Mar 10 Second Extension | 3 Falconry only. Daily bag limit is 3 birds of single or combined species. Common gallinules, coots, ducks and mergansers only. | 9 |
1Falconry only. Daily bag limit is 3 birds of single or combined species. Common gallinules, coots, ducks and mergansers only.
2Common gallinules, coots, ducks and mergansers may be taken statewide with falconry during this extension period.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 Snipe | 25 Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. Virginia rail and sora rail: 25/day, 75 possession. Wilson's snipe: 8/day, 24 possession. | 75 |
1Common gallinule: 1/day, 3 possession. Virginia rail and sora rail: 25/day, 75 possession. Wilson's snipe: 8/day, 24 possession.
2Covers common gallinule, Virginia rail, sora rail, and Wilson's snipe. Individual species bag limits differ: common gallinule 1/day, rails 25/day, snipe 8/day.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 23, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.