California is part of the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 19 through March 10, 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 Fish and Wildlife within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Upland Game Bird Validation also required for certain areas
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Zone1,2 | Oct 3 – Jan 13 | 7 | 21 |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley3,4 | Oct 24 – Jan 31 | 7 | 21 |
| Colorado River Zone5,6 | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 7 | 21 |
| Balance of State3,4 | Oct 24 – Jan 31 | 7 | 21 |
17 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Scaup season: Oct 3–Nov 29 & Dec 17–Jan 13.
2Scaup has a split season within the overall duck season dates.
37 mallards (no more than 2 females), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Scaup season: Nov 7–Jan 31.
4Scaup restricted to Nov 7–Jan 31 within the overall duck season.
57 mallards (no more than 2 females or Mexican ducks), 3 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 scaup. Scaup season: Nov 7–Jan 31.
6Mexican ducks included in mallard sub-limit for this zone.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Zone1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Oct 3 – Jan 10 Regular Season - Canada Geese | 30 | 90 |
| Oct 3 – Nov 29 Regular Season – White and White-fronted Geese | |||
| Jan 1 – Jan 13 Regular Season – White and White-fronted Geese (Second Split) | |||
| Feb 5 – Mar 10 Late Season | |||
| Southern San Joaquin Valley8 | Oct 24 – Jan 31 | 30 | 90 |
| Balance of State9,10,11,12,13,14,15 | Oct 3 – Oct 5 Early Season - Large Canada Geese Only | 30 | 90 |
| Oct 24 – Jan 31 Regular Season | |||
| Feb 20 – Feb 21 Late Season - Canada Geese | |||
| Feb 20 – Feb 24 Late Season - Whitefronts and White Geese | |||
| Colorado River Zone16 | Oct 23 – Jan 31 | 24 | 72 |
130/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese or 3 Large Canada geese). Canada Geese: Oct 3–Jan 10.
2Canada Geese regular season dates.
330/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted or 3 Large Canada)
4Split season: Oct 3–Nov 29 & Jan 1–Jan 13
5Second split of Regular Season for white and white-fronted geese
6White and white-fronted geese only during late season. 30/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese, not more than 6 white-fronted geese or 3 Large Canada geese.
7Late Season white and white-fronted geese: Feb 5–Mar 10.
830/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese, not more than 6 white-fronted geese.
9Large Canada geese only. 30/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese). Sacramento Valley SMA: only 3 may be white-fronted geese.
10Early season for Large Canada geese only.
1130/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese). Sacramento Valley SMA: only 3 may be white-fronted geese.
12Canada Geese only during this segment. 30/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese).
13Late season Canada geese only.
14Whitefronts and white geese only. 30/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese, not more than 6 white-fronted geese.
15Late Season whitefronts and white geese: Feb 20–24.
1624/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 4 dark geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Zone1,2,3,4,5,6 | Oct 3 – Nov 29 Regular Season - White and White-fronted Geese Split 1 | 30 | 90 |
| Jan 1 – Jan 13 Regular Season - White and White-fronted Geese Split 2 | |||
| Feb 5 – Mar 10 Late Season - White and White-fronted Geese | |||
| Feb 5 – Mar 10 Late Season | |||
| Balance of State7,8 | Feb 20 – Feb 24 Late Season - Whitefronts and White Geese | 30 | 90 |
130/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese or 3 Large Canada geese).
2White and white-fronted geese regular season, first segment.
3White and white-fronted geese regular season, second segment.
4Late season for white and white-fronted geese.
5White and white-fronted geese only during Late Season
6Late Season for white and white-fronted geese: Feb 5–Mar 10
7Whitefronts and white geese. 30/day: up to 20 white geese, up to 10 dark geese (no more than 6 white-fronted geese).
8Late season for whitefronts and white geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Zone1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 20 | – | – |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley1,2 | Feb 13 – Feb 14 | – | – |
| Colorado River Zone1,2 | Feb 13 – Feb 14 | – | – |
| Balance of State1,2 | Feb 13 – Feb 14 | – | – |
1Same as regular season bag/possession limits.
2Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Zone1,2 | Jan 17 – Jan 18 | – | – |
| Southern San Joaquin Valley2,3 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 | – | – |
| Balance of State1,2 | Feb 6 – Feb 7 | – | – |
1Ducks only. Same as regular season bag/possession limits.
2Veterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days.
3Same as regular season bag/possession limits.
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 June 11, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.