Read from Department of Natural Resources on August 21, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
Open the official Wisconsin regulationsHunting 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 1 through January 5, 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2Wisconsin Northern waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 | 6 2 scaup/day Sept. 26-Nov. 9; 1 scaup/day Nov. 10-24. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded). | – |
| Southern Zone3,4,5,6Wisconsin Southern waterfowl zone (includes Mississippi River Zone dates for geese) | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 6 1 scaup/day Oct. 3-11. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded). | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | 6 1 scaup/day Oct. 17-22; 2 scaup/day Oct. 23-Dec. 6. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded). | – | |
| Open Water Zone7,8Wisconsin Open Water waterfowl zone (Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior) | Oct 17 – Dec 15 | 6 2 scaup/day Oct. 17-Nov. 30; 1 scaup/day Dec. 1-15. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded). | – |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | – |
| Black Duck | 2 | – |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | – |
| Canvasback | 2 | – |
| Redhead | 2 | – |
| Wood Duck | 3 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Open Water Zone · Oct 17–Nov 30 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 2 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Open Water Zone · Dec 1–Dec 15 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 1 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Southern Zone · Oct 17–Oct 22 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 1 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Southern Zone · Oct 23–Dec 6 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 2 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Northern Zone · Sep 26–Nov 9 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 2 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Northern Zone · Nov 10–Nov 24 · WI DNR online hunting regulations, Migratory Game Birds > Season Dates and Bag Limits (Fall 2026-Spring 2027), Regular Duck Season table — scaup daily limit steps within the season. Dated 2026-09-17. | 1 | – |
| Lesser Scaup Southern Zone · 1 scaup/day Oct. 3-11 | 1 | – |
12 scaup/day Sept. 26-Nov. 9; 1 scaup/day Nov. 10-24. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded).
2Northern Duck Zone. Scaup limit changes Nov. 10.
31 scaup/day Oct. 3-11. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded).
4Southern Duck Zone first segment.
51 scaup/day Oct. 17-22; 2 scaup/day Oct. 23-Dec. 6. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded).
6Southern Duck Zone second segment; scaup limit changes Oct. 23.
72 scaup/day Oct. 17-Nov. 30; 1 scaup/day Dec. 1-15. Overall: 6 ducks, not more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2 black ducks, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks. 5 mergansers (not more than 2 hooded).
8Open Water Zone; scaup limit changes Dec. 1.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 | 6 Different shooting hours than other waterfowl — check DNR shooting hours page. | – |
1Different shooting hours than other waterfowl — check DNR shooting hours page.
2Shooting hours differ from other waterfowl; see https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/node/119971
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Goose | 5 5 Canada geese/day; 20 snow, blue or Ross's geese/day | – |
| Northern Goose Zone3,4Wisconsin Northern goose zone | Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Goose Season | 3 3 Canada geese/day; 1 Brant; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) listed separately | – |
| Southern Goose Zone5,6,7,8,9Wisconsin Southern goose zone | Sep 16 – Oct 11 First Segment | 3 3 Canada geese/day; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Segment | 3 3 Canada geese/day; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) | – | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 2 Holiday Hunt | 5 5 Canada geese/day for holiday hunt portion; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) | – | |
| Mississippi River Goose Zone10,11,12Wisconsin Mississippi River goose zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Segment | 3 3 Canada geese; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) | – |
| Oct 17 – Jan 5 Second Segment | 3 3 Canada geese; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) | – |
15 Canada geese/day; 20 snow, blue or Ross's geese/day
2Early September goose season statewide. Light geese bag listed here but emitted separately.
33 Canada geese/day; 1 Brant; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's) listed separately
4Northern Goose Zone regular goose season.
53 Canada geese/day; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's)
6Southern Goose Zone first segment. Season has three portions.
7Southern Goose Zone second segment.
85 Canada geese/day for holiday hunt portion; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's)
9Holiday hunt segment with increased Canada goose bag limit
103 Canada geese; 1 greater white-fronted goose; 1 Brant; 20 white geese (snow/blue/Ross's)
11Mississippi River Zone first split.
12Mississippi River Zone second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Goose Zone1Wisconsin Northern goose zone | Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Goose Season | 1 | – |
| Southern Goose Zone2,3,4Wisconsin Southern goose zone | Sep 16 – Oct 11 First Segment | 1 | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Segment | 1 | – | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 2 Holiday Hunt | 1 | – | |
| Mississippi River Goose Zone5,6Wisconsin Mississippi River goose zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 1 | – |
| Oct 17 – Jan 5 Second Split | 1 | – |
1Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Northern Goose Zone regular goose season.
2Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Southern Goose Zone first segment.
3Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Southern Goose Zone second segment.
4Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Southern Goose Zone holiday hunt portion.
5Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Mississippi River Zone first split.
6Greater white-fronted goose concurrent with Mississippi River Zone second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Goose Zone1Wisconsin Northern goose zone | Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Goose Season | 1 | – |
| Southern Goose Zone2,3,4Wisconsin Southern goose zone | Sep 16 – Oct 11 First Segment | 1 | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Segment | 1 | – | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 2 Holiday Hunt | 1 | – | |
| Mississippi River Goose Zone5,6Wisconsin Mississippi River goose zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 1 | – |
| Oct 17 – Jan 5 Second Split | 1 | – |
1Brant concurrent with Northern Goose Zone regular goose season.
2Brant concurrent with Southern Goose Zone first segment.
3Brant concurrent with Southern Goose Zone second segment.
4Brant concurrent with Southern Goose Zone holiday hunt portion.
5Brant concurrent with Mississippi River Zone first split.
6Brant concurrent with Mississippi River Zone second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 Early Goose | 20 Snow, blue, or Ross's geese | – |
| Northern Goose Zone3,4Wisconsin Northern goose zone | Sep 16 – Dec 16 Regular Goose Season | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – |
| Southern Goose Zone3,5,6,7Wisconsin Southern goose zone | Sep 16 – Oct 11 First Segment | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Segment | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – | |
| Dec 19 – Jan 2 Holiday Hunt | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – | |
| Mississippi River Goose Zone3,8,9Wisconsin Mississippi River goose zone | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – |
| Oct 17 – Jan 5 Second Split | 20 Snow, blue, and Ross's geese | – |
1Snow, blue, or Ross's geese
2Light geese sub-limit from the Early Goose season row.
3Snow, blue, and Ross's geese
4Dates concurrent with Northern Goose Zone regular goose season
520 white geese limit concurrent with Southern Goose Zone first segment.
620 white geese limit concurrent with Southern Goose Zone second segment.
720 white geese limit concurrent with Southern Goose Zone holiday hunt portion.
820 white geese limit concurrent with Mississippi River Zone first split.
920 white geese limit concurrent with Mississippi River Zone second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 Common Gallinule | 15 | – |
| Northern Zone2,3Wisconsin Northern waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Coot | 15 Same dates as duck season for each zone | – |
| Southern Zone2,4Wisconsin Southern waterfowl zone (includes Mississippi River Zone dates for geese) | Oct 3 – Oct 11 Coot · First Split | 15 Same dates as duck season for each zone | – |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Coot · Second Split | 15 Same dates as duck season for each zone | – | |
| Open Water Zone2,5Wisconsin Open Water waterfowl zone (Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior) | Oct 17 – Dec 15 Coot | 15 Same dates as duck season for each zone | – |
1Common Gallinule season listed separately
2Same dates as duck season for each zone
3Same as Northern Duck Zone dates per table footnote '*Same as duck zone you are hunting'.
4Same as Southern Duck Zone dates per table footnote '*Same as duck zone you are hunting'.
5Same as Open Water Zone dates per table footnote '*Same as duck zone you are hunting'.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Zone1,2Wisconsin Northern waterfowl zone | Sep 26 – Nov 24 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | – |
| Southern Zone3,4,5Wisconsin Southern waterfowl zone (includes Mississippi River Zone dates for geese) | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 5 Not more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 |
| Oct 17 – Dec 6 Second Split | 5 Not more than 2 hooded mergansers | 15 | |
| Open Water Zone1,6Wisconsin Open Water waterfowl zone (Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior) | Oct 17 – Dec 15 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 No more than 2 hooded mergansers | – |
1No more than 2 hooded mergansers
2Merganser season tied to duck zone dates; Northern Zone dates used
3Not more than 2 hooded mergansers
4Concurrent with Southern Duck Zone first split
5Concurrent with Southern Duck Zone second split; mergansers counted separately from 6-duck aggregate.
6Merganser season tied to duck zone dates; Open Water Zone dates used
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | 6 Same bag limits as regular duck season | – |
| Sep 19 – Sep 20 Youth Waterfowl Hunt · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 6 Youth 15 and under. All license and stamp requirements WAIVED for eligible youth. Must be accompanied by licensed adult supervisor who does not hunt during youth season. | 18 |
1Same bag limits as regular duck season
2Daily bag limit inherited from regular duck season (6 ducks).
3Youth 15 and under. All license and stamp requirements WAIVED for eligible youth. Must be accompanied by licensed adult supervisor who does not hunt during youth season.
4Consolidated 2026-09-14: WI DNR lists the youth hunt as STATEWIDE Sept 19-20; three per-duck-zone copies existed. Kept one, made statewide.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Nov 9 Rail (Virginia and Sora) | 25 | – |
| Sep 1 – Nov 29 Mourning Dove | 15 | – | |
| Sep 1 – Nov 9 Snipe | 8 | – | |
| Sep 19 – Nov 2 Woodcock | 3 | – |
1American Woodcock season
2Virginia Rail and Sora Rail
3Common Snipe (Wilson's Snipe) season
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 21, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.