Hunting Wisconsin this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Wisconsin is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 16 through January 5, 2027, with 26 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.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1 | Sep 26 – Nov 24 | – | – |
| Southern Zone2,3 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | |||
| Open Water Zone4 | Oct 17 – Dec 15 | – | – |
Species-by-species limits are being verified against Department of Natural Resources. Dates and daily bag limits above are confirmed.
1Northern Duck Zone; coots follow same dates as ducks in each zone
2Southern Duck Zone first split; coots follow same dates as ducks in each zone
3Southern Duck Zone second split; coots follow same dates as ducks in each zone
4Open Water Duck Zone; coots follow same dates as ducks in each zone
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 | – | – |
1Early Teal season listed in 2026 Season Dates table
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Goose | – | – |
| Northern Zone3,4,5,6 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Goose | – | – |
| Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Season | |||
| Southern Zone3,7,8,9 | Sep 16 – Oct 11 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | |||
| Dec 19 – Jan 2 Third Split | |||
| Open Water Zone10,11,12 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Jan 5 Second Split |
1Early Canada Goose Permit required.
2Early Goose season Sept. 1-15, statewide (pre-season Canada Goose).
3Regular Canada Goose Permit required
4Northern Goose Zone Sept. 16 - Dec. 16
5Early Canada Goose Permit required
6Early Goose season statewide Sept. 1-15; zone assignment inferred as Northern/statewide early season
7Southern Goose Zone first split
8Southern Goose Zone second split
9Southern Goose Zone third split; closes Jan. 2, 2027
10Regular Canada Goose Permit required; Mississippi River Goose Zone
11Mississippi River Goose Zone first split Oct. 3 - Oct. 11
12Mississippi River Goose Zone second split Oct. 17 - Jan. 5, 2027
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2 | Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 25 | – |
| Southern Zone1,3,4,5 | Sep 16 – Oct 12 First Split | 25 | – |
| Oct 18 – Dec 7 Second Split | |||
| Dec 20 – Jan 2 Third Split |
1Conservation Order: electronic calls & unplugged shotguns allowed · No bag limit · Non-toxic shot required
2Northern Zone light geese - no possession limit [FLAG: Light goose bag 25 needs confirmation - may be 20 for MS Flyway]
3Southern Zone light geese split 1 [FLAG: Light goose bag 25 needs confirmation - may be 20 for MS Flyway]
4Southern Zone light geese split 2 [FLAG: Light goose bag 25 needs confirmation - may be 20 for MS Flyway]
5Southern Zone light geese holiday split [FLAG: Light goose bag 25 needs confirmation - may be 20 for MS Flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2 | Sep 26 – Nov 24 | – | – |
| Southern Zone1,3,4 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | – | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | |||
| Open Water Zone1,5 | Oct 17 – Dec 15 | – | – |
1Same dates as duck season for each zone
2Coot season same as duck season per zone; Northern Zone dates used here
3Coot season same as duck season per zone; Southern Zone first split dates used
4Coot season same as duck season per zone; Southern Zone second split dates used
5Coot season same as duck season per zone; Open Water Zone dates used
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2 | Sep 27 – Nov 25 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Southern Zone1,2 | Oct 4 – Oct 12 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 7 Second Split | |||
| Open Water Zone1,2 | Oct 18 – Dec 16 Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers/day · Same as ducks · Non-toxic shot · Plugged shotgun · No electronic calls · Decoy rules apply
2Max 2 hooded mergansers per day. Concurrent with duck season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | – | – |
1Hunters 15 years old and younger; all license/stamp requirements waived; HIP registration required
2Youth Waterfowl Hunt Sept. 19-20
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 July 17, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.