Question 1

What states are in the Mississippi Flyway?

Accepted Answer

The Mississippi Flyway includes 14 states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. The flyway follows the Mississippi River watershed and is one of four major waterfowl migration corridors in North America, recognized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Source: USFWS Flyway Councils, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 2

Which Mississippi Flyway state has the longest duck season?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas and Louisiana consistently have among the longest duck seasons in the Mississippi Flyway, with both running from mid-to-late November through late January — approximately 60 days after accounting for splits. Missouri and Tennessee also offer extended seasons. The flyway's southern states generally receive longer seasons due to liberal USFWS allocations. Source: State agencies and USFWS, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 3

What is the duck bag limit in the Mississippi Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi Flyway states generally set a 6-duck daily bag for 2026–27. Species sub-limits are set by the states, not by USFWS, and they do vary by state and zone: pintail is 3/day and canvasback 2/day in every 2026–27 regulation we checked. Verified in the Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee and Minnesota 2026–27 regulations. Confirm with your state wildlife agency before hunting.

Question 4

When does duck season open in the Mississippi Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi Flyway seasons open at different dates by state and zone. Northern states open earliest: Minnesota September 27 (North Zone), Michigan and Wisconsin October 1–4. Mid-flyway states open in October: Iowa October 11, Illinois and Indiana October 25. Southern states open in November: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana November 8–22. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 5

Which Mississippi Flyway state is best for duck hunting?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas and Louisiana are widely regarded as the top destinations, with Louisiana recording the highest per-hunter duck efficiency in national data. Arkansas's Grand Prairie, Cache River, and White River systems attract millions of migrating mallards annually. Mississippi's Delta region and Tennessee's Reelfoot Lake are also nationally recognized. The best state depends on your target species, hunting style, and access. Source: USFWS Harvest Survey data, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 6

Do you need a federal duck stamp to hunt in Mississippi Flyway states?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Federal Duck Stamp ($25 for 2026–27) is required in all 14 Mississippi Flyway states for any hunter 16 or older. It must be signed across the face and carried while hunting. All hunters must also complete HIP registration in their home state. Source: USFWS, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 7

When does goose season open in the Mississippi Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Canada goose seasons typically open late September or early October, with some states offering early September seasons. Light goose conservation orders often begin mid-October and extend through February or March. Arkansas Canada goose season opens October 4 (West Zone); Missouri opens October 4 (North Zone); Minnesota early Canada goose opens September 1. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 8

Does the Mississippi Flyway have early teal seasons?

Accepted Answer

Yes — most Mississippi Flyway states offer early teal seasons in September 2025 running September 6–21. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky all participate. Northern states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan) generally do not have separate early teal seasons. Source: USFWS and state agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 9

How much is a non-resident waterfowl license in Mississippi Flyway states?

Accepted Answer

Non-resident license costs for 2026–27: Minnesota $96, Wisconsin $165, Iowa $121, Illinois $170, Indiana $125, Ohio $125, Michigan $165, Missouri $135, Kentucky $115, Tennessee $125, Arkansas $85–$150, Mississippi $100, Alabama $116, Louisiana $150. All non-residents also need the federal Duck Stamp ($25) and HIP registration. Source: State agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 10

What species can I hunt in the Mississippi Flyway?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi Flyway hunters can harvest mallards, teal, pintail, wood ducks, widgeon, gadwall, ringneck ducks, lesser scaup, canvasback, redhead, and other migratory ducks within the 6-bird daily limit and species sub-limits. Geese (Canada, white-fronted, snow, Ross's) have separate limits. Coots, mergansers, and common gallinules are also legal game in most states. Source: USFWS flyway regulations, verified 2026-05-08.

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Minnesota	Sep 27, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$96
Wisconsin	Sep 27, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$165
Iowa	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6	$121
Illinois	Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 4, 2026	6	$170
Indiana	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$125
Ohio	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 28, 2025	6	$125
Michigan	Oct 1, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$165
Missouri	Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 18, 2026	6	$135
Kentucky	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$115
Tennessee	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$125
Arkansas	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 31, 2026	6	$85–$150
Mississippi	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 31, 2026	6	$100
Alabama	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$116
Louisiana	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$150

State	Opens	Closes	Bag	NR License
Minnesota	Sep 27, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$96
Wisconsin	Sep 27, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$165
Iowa	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6	$121
Illinois	Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 4, 2026	6	$170
Indiana	Oct 25, 2025	Jan 4, 2026	6	$125
Ohio	Oct 11, 2025	Dec 28, 2025	6	$125
Michigan	Oct 1, 2025 (North Zone)	Dec 7, 2025	6	$165
Missouri	Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone)	Jan 18, 2026	6	$135
Kentucky	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 18, 2026	6	$115
Tennessee	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$125
Arkansas	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 31, 2026	6	$85–$150
Mississippi	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 31, 2026	6	$100
Alabama	Nov 22, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$116
Louisiana	Nov 8, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6	$150

Mississippi Flyway Duck Season 2026–27

2026–27 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Mississippi Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways

Mississippi Flyway Duck Season 2026–27

2026–27 Season Comparison

Full State Guides

Mississippi Flyway — Frequently Asked Questions

Other Flyways