Read from Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service on August 8, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service before you hunt.
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Ontario is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 5, 2027, with 36 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 10 – Dec 25 | 6 Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. No open season for Harlequin Ducks. | 18 |
| Central District1,2Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 19 – Jan 3 | 6 Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. No open season for Harlequin Ducks. | 18 |
| Southern District3,4Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 26 – Jan 10 | 6 Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye; in WMUs 88-95 not more than 3 may be American Black Ducks. No open season for Harlequin Ducks. | 18 |
| Hudson-James Bay District1,2Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 6 Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. No open season for Harlequin Ducks. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Harlequin Duck No open season | 0 | 0 |
| Black Duck Sub-limit applies only in WMUs 88 to 95 | 3 | – |
1Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye. No open season for Harlequin Ducks.
2Ducks other than Harlequin Ducks, combined.
3Not more than 1 may be Barrow's Goldeneye; in WMUs 88-95 not more than 3 may be American Black Ducks. No open season for Harlequin Ducks.
4Ducks other than Harlequin Ducks, combined. Two sub-rules by WMU group.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2,3,4,5Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
| Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Season | 10 10 in WMUs 8, 10, 13, 36, 37, 39, 41 and 45; 5 in other WMUs. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Sep 10 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 5 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Central District1,4,5,6Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
| Sep 1 – Sep 18 Early Season | 10 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Sep 19 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 5 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Southern District1,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 10 – Sep 20 Early Season | 10 10 in WMUs 60 to 81, 83, 86 to 92 and 95; 8 in WMUs 82, 84, 85, 93 and 94. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
| Sep 26 – Jan 10 Other Geese | 5 Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 | |
| Sep 26 – Dec 30 Regular Season (WMUs 60–68, 69B, 74–76, 82–85, 94, 95) | 5 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Sep 26–Oct 30: bag 5 (WMUs 60–68, 69B, 74–76, 83, 95), bag 3 (WMUs 82, 84, 85). Oct 31–Dec 30: bag 5 (WMUs 60–68, 69B, 74–76, 82–85, 95), bag 3 (WMU 94). Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Oct 3 – Dec 30 Regular Season (WMUs 69A, 70–73, 77–81, 86–93) | 5 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Oct 3–Oct 30: bag 5 (WMUs 69A, 70–73, 77–81, 86–92), bag 3 (WMU 93). Oct 31–Dec 30: bag 5 (all listed WMUs). Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Feb 27 – Mar 5 Winter Season - WMUs 69A, 70-73, 77-81, 86-93 | 10 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Bag limit 10 in WMUs 69A, 70–73, 77–81, 86–92; bag limit 8 in WMU 93. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Hudson-James Bay District1,4,5,15Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
| Sep 1 – Dec 16 Other Geese | 5 Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
1Geese other than Canada, Cackling, Snow and Ross's Geese, combined.
210 in WMUs 8, 10, 13, 36, 37, 39, 41 and 45; 5 in other WMUs. Possession limit: No limit.
3Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Bag limit varies by WMU.
4Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit.
5Possession limit listed as 'No limit'.
6Bag limit 10 for this early segment.
710 in WMUs 60 to 81, 83, 86 to 92 and 95; 8 in WMUs 82, 84, 85, 93 and 94. Possession limit: No limit.
8Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined.
9Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Sep 26–Oct 30: bag 5 (WMUs 60–68, 69B, 74–76, 83, 95), bag 3 (WMUs 82, 84, 85). Oct 31–Dec 30: bag 5 (WMUs 60–68, 69B, 74–76, 82–85, 95), bag 3 (WMU 94). Possession limit: No limit.
10Possession limit is no limit.
11Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Oct 3–Oct 30: bag 5 (WMUs 69A, 70–73, 77–81, 86–92), bag 3 (WMU 93). Oct 31–Dec 30: bag 5 (all listed WMUs). Possession limit: No limit.
12Opens the Saturday following duck season opening per 2026-2027 updates.
13Canada Geese and Cackling Geese combined. Bag limit 10 in WMUs 69A, 70–73, 77–81, 86–92; bag limit 8 in WMU 93. Possession limit: No limit.
147-day winter season.
15Covers White-fronted and other non-light, non-Canada geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
| Central District1,2Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
| Southern District1,2,3,4Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 26 – Jan 10 Regular Season – WMUs 60-68, 69B, 74-76, 82-85, 94, 95 | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: no limit. | – |
| Oct 3 – Jan 10 Regular Season - WMUs 69A, 70-73, 77-81, 86-93 | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Feb 27 – Mar 5 Winter Season - WMUs 69A, 70-73, 77-81, 86-93 | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – | |
| Hudson-James Bay District1,2Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 50 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
1Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: No limit.
2Possession limit listed as 'No limit'.
3Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Possession limit: no limit.
4Possession limit listed as 'No limit'. 7-day winter season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern District1,2,3,4Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 26 – Jan 10 Special Measures - Regular Season (WMUs 65-68, 69B, others per text) | 20 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese combined. Electronic bird calls of Snow/Ross's Geese may be used. While hunting with electronic calls, any other species in open season may also be hunted. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
| Apr 1 – Apr 30 Special Measures - WMUs 65, 66, 67, 69B | 12 Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Only on farmland. Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used. Possession limit: No limit. | – |
1Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. Only on farmland. Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be used. Possession limit: No limit.
2Spring special measures season (overabundant species). Only WMUs 65, 66, 67 and 69B. Shortened by 62 days from prior year.
3Snow Geese and Ross's Geese combined. Electronic bird calls of Snow/Ross's Geese may be used. While hunting with electronic calls, any other species in open season may also be hunted. Possession limit: No limit.
4Special measures for overabundant species section. Spring season (WMUs 65, 66, 67, 69B only) reduced from previous years to April 1–30 on farmland only.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 10 – Dec 25 | 10 Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules. | 30 |
| Central District1,2Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 19 – Jan 3 | 10 Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules. | 30 |
| Southern District1,2Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 26 – Jan 10 | 10 Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules. | 30 |
| Hudson-James Bay District1,3Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 10 Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules. | 30 |
1Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Coots and Gallinules, combined. Not more than 8 may be Coots and not more than 4 may be Gallinules.
2Combined Rails/Coots/Gallinules season.
3Combined Rails/Coots/Gallinules season. Rail component included.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 12 – Sep 25 | 1 Residents of Canada only; farmland only; only open in WMUs 23, 24, 27 to 30, 36, 37, 39 to 41 and 45. | 1 |
| Central District2,3Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 12 – Sep 25 | 1 Residents of Canada only; farmland only; only open in WMUs 42, 43, 47 and 48. | 1 |
| Hudson-James Bay District4,5Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Sep 14 | 1 Residents of Canada only. | 1 |
1Residents of Canada only; farmland only; only open in WMUs 23, 24, 27 to 30, 36, 37, 39 to 41 and 45.
2New open season. Restricted WMUs only.
3Residents of Canada only; farmland only; only open in WMUs 42, 43, 47 and 48.
4Residents of Canada only.
5New open season for Sandhill Cranes in all areas of the Hudson-James Bay District.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1,2Provincial WMU 1C, the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying south of latitude 51° and west of longitude 83°45’, as well as provincial WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45. Communities: Big Trout Lake, Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Geese other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
| Central District1,2Provincial WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59. Town of Parry Sound is in the Central District. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Geese other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
| Southern District1,2Provincial WMUs 60 to 95. Cities of Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie, Toronto, Hamilton and London are in the Southern District. | Sep 26 – Jan 10 | 5 Geese other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
| Hudson-James Bay District1,2Provincial Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A and 1B, and the portions of provincial WMUs 1D, 25 and 26 lying north of latitude 51° and east of longitude 83°45’. Communities: Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Fort Albany. | Sep 1 – Dec 16 | 5 Geese other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined. | 15 |
1Geese other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese, combined.
2Covers white-fronted geese and other geese not otherwise listed.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against the Migratory Birds Regulations published by Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 8, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.