Read from Department of Natural Resources on September 6, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
Open the official Minnesota regulationsHunting Minnesota this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Minnesota is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 5 through January 6, 2027, with 51 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 Zone1,2Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Regular Season | 6 4 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 10, then 2 for remainder of season. | 18 |
| Central Zone3,4,5Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 15, then 2 for remainder of season. | 18 |
| Oct 10 – Nov 29 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 15, then 2 for remainder of season. | 18 | |
| South Zone2,6,7Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 22, then 2 for remainder of season. | 18 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | 6 4 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 2 after Oct. 22. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hen mallards | 4 | 12 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Greater Scaup Central Zone · Limit is 2 after Oct. 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · Limit is 2 after Oct. 22 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Central Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 15; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup North Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 10; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
| Greater Scaup South Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 22; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Zone · Limit is 2 after Oct. 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Limit is 2 after Oct. 22 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 15; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup North Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 10; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup South Zone · Limit is 1 through Oct. 22; then 2 for remainder of season | 1 | 3 |
14 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 10, then 2 for remainder of season.
2PROJECTED — copied from 2025-2026. Not yet verified against official 2026-2027 regulations.
34 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 15, then 2 for remainder of season.
4Page 48 correction note: Central Zone dates corrected per Aug 5, 2026 update.
5Page 133 notes correction to Central Zone dates; second split date as printed is Oct. 10-Nov. 29.
64 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 1 through Oct. 22, then 2 for remainder of season.
74 mallards (2 hen mallards max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintail. Scaup daily limit is 2 after Oct. 22.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 5 – Sep 9 | 6 Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal combined. Shooting hours begin at sunrise (different from other waterfowl seasons). Restrictions apply within Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, and White Earth Nation Reservations near wild rice waters. | 18 |
1Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal combined. Shooting hours begin at sunrise (different from other waterfowl seasons). Restrictions apply within Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, and White Earth Nation Reservations near wild rice waters.
2Shooting hours for teal during teal season are sunrise to sunset.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 5 – Sep 20 Early Goose Season | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 |
| North Zone1,3Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Dec 25 Regular Season | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 |
| Central Zone1,3Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 |
| Oct 10 – Dec 30 Second Split | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 | |
| South Zone1,3Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Jan 6 Second Split | 5 Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5 | 15 |
1Canada, white-fronted and brant combined 5
2Statewide early goose season. No special permit required.
3PROJECTED — copied from 2025-2026. Not yet verified against official 2026-2027 regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Sep 5 – Sep 20 Early Goose Season | 5 | 15 |
| North ZoneMinnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Dec 25 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Central ZoneMinnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 10 – Dec 30 Second Split | 5 | 15 | |
| South ZoneMinnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Jan 6 Second Split | 5 | 15 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Sep 5 – Sep 20 Early Goose Season | 5 | 15 |
| North ZoneMinnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Dec 25 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Central ZoneMinnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 10 – Dec 30 Second Split | 5 | 15 | |
| South ZoneMinnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Jan 6 Second Split | 5 | 15 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 6 – Sep 21 Early Goose Season | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 |
| North Zone1,3Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Dec 25 Regular Season | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 |
| Central Zone1,3Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 |
| Oct 10 – Dec 30 Second Split | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 | |
| South Zone1,3Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 |
| Oct 17 – Jan 6 Second Split | 20 Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese | 60 |
1Snow, blue snow and Ross's geese
2Statewide early season light geese
3PROJECTED — copied from 2025-2026. Not yet verified against official 2026-2027 regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Feb 18 – Apr 30 | – | – |
1Spring light goose conservation order 2027
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Regular Season | 15 Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls. | 45 |
| Central Zone1,3,4Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 15 Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls. | 45 |
| Oct 11 – Nov 30 Second Split | 15 Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls. | 45 | |
| South Zone1,5,6Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 15 Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls. | 45 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | 15 Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls. | 45 |
1Nontoxic shot explicitly required for moorhens under state law. Same zone seasons as ducks (North, Central, South). Plugged shotgun. No electronic calls.
2Concurrent with North Zone duck season dates
3Concurrent with Central Zone duck season; page 48 lists coot/moorhen dates as Sept. 26-Oct. 4; Oct. 11-Nov. 30 (note: correction issued Aug 5, 2026 for Central Zone dates).
4Page 48 lists coot/moorhen Central Zone second split as Oct. 11-Nov. 30 (note the correction issued Aug 5, 2026 for Central Zone dates).
5Concurrent with South Zone duck season first split
6Concurrent with South Zone duck season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Regular Season | 5 No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Central Zone1,3,4Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Oct 11 – Nov 30 Second Split | 5 No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers | 15 | |
| South Zone1,5,6Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 First Split | 5 No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | 5 No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers | 15 |
1No more than 2 can be hooded mergansers
2Concurrent with North Zone duck season dates
3Concurrent with Central Zone duck season first split
4Concurrent with Central Zone duck/coot season second split
5Concurrent with South Zone duck season first split
6Concurrent with South Zone duck season second split
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Crane Zone1,2Northwest Minnesota crane/goose zone (Kittson/Roseau/Marshall/Pennington/Red Lake/Polk region) | Sep 12 – Oct 18 | 2 Sandhill Crane Zone only. Sandhill Crane Permit ($3) required for all hunters. Nontoxic shot required. HIP certification not required. Small game license required. | 6 |
1Sandhill Crane Zone only. Sandhill Crane Permit ($3) required for all hunters. Nontoxic shot required. HIP certification not required. Small game license required.
2Hunt restricted to the Sandhill Crane Zone in northwest MN (Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake counties area).
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 12 – Sep 13 | 6 Hunters age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult (age 18+). Daily limits same as regular duck and goose seasons. No hunting license or state waterfowl stamps required; all youths age 16+ must have a Federal Duck Stamp. Hunters ages 13-17 must have firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation. | 18 |
1Hunters age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult (age 18+). Daily limits same as regular duck and goose seasons. No hunting license or state waterfowl stamps required; all youths age 16+ must have a Federal Duck Stamp. Hunters ages 13-17 must have firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation.
2Youth may take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and moorhens.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3Minnesota North waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Regular Season Concurrent | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds (duck, coot, mergansers, moorhen/gallinules, and geese) | 9 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 20 Extended Falconry | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds (duck, coot, mergansers, moorhen/gallinules, and geese) | 9 | |
| Central Zone4,5,6,7Minnesota Central waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 Regular Season Concurrent | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 |
| Oct 10 – Nov 29 Regular Season Concurrent Second Split | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 | |
| Dec 12 – Jan 20 Extended Falconry | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 | |
| South Zone4,8,9,10Minnesota South waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Oct 4 Regular Season Concurrent First Split | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Regular Season Concurrent Second Split | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 | |
| Dec 12 – Jan 20 Extended Falconry | 3 3 combined for ALL migratory game birds | 9 |
13 combined for ALL migratory game birds (duck, coot, mergansers, moorhen/gallinules, and geese)
2Falconry season - concurrent with regular duck season dates plus extension period Dec. 12-Jan. 20
3Extended falconry period beyond regular duck season
43 combined for ALL migratory game birds
5Falconry season first split concurrent with regular duck season
6Falconry season second split concurrent with regular duck season Central Zone
7Extended falconry period beyond regular duck season for Central Zone
8Falconry season first split concurrent with regular duck season South Zone
9Falconry season second split concurrent with regular duck season South Zone
10Extended falconry period beyond regular duck season for South Zone
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 September 6, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.