Iowa is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 6 through May 1, 2026, with 45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Sep 27 – Oct 3 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Central Zone | Oct 4 – Oct 10 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone | Oct 11 – Oct 17 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup 1 scaup first 15 days, 2 remaining; combined lesser + greater | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 females | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup 1 scaup first 15 days, 2 remaining; combined lesser + greater | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| Central Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2,3 | Sep 20 – Oct 5 Dark Geese - Segment 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Dark Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 13 – Jan 10 Dark Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| Central Zone1,2,3 | Sep 27 – Oct 12 Dark Geese - Segment 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Dark Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 20 – Jan 17 Dark Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| South Zone1,2,3 | Oct 4 – Oct 19 Dark Geese - Segment 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Dark Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 27 – Jan 24 Dark Geese - Segment 3 (Late) |
1Max 2 Canada geese during Seg 1. Includes Canada, white-fronted, brant.
2Max 3 Canada geese starting Seg 2.
3Max 3 Canada geese. Late season extends past duck close.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 20 – Oct 5 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 13 – Jan 10 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| Central Zone1 | Sep 27 – Oct 12 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 20 – Jan 17 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 19 Light Geese - Segment 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Light Geese - Segment 2 | |||
| Dec 27 – Jan 24 Light Geese - Segment 3 (Late) |
1Snow, blue, Ross geese. [Bulk fix: possession_limit set to NULL — light geese have no federal possession limit in any flyway]
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Jan 25 – May 1 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Central Zone1 | Jan 25 – May 1 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| South Zone1 | Jan 25 – May 1 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1No daily bag or possession limit. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns permitted.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Sep 27 – Oct 3 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| Central Zone | Oct 4 – Oct 10 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone | Oct 11 – Oct 17 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Coots - Split 2 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 27 – Oct 3 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 11 – Dec 2 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| Central Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 10 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 9 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 17 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 25 – Dec 16 Mergansers - Split 2 |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 20 – Sep 21 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
| Central Zone1 | Sep 27 – Sep 28 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
| South Zone1 | Oct 4 – Oct 5 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
1Youth 15 or younger with licensed adult 18+
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 2025-2026 season. This data was verified on March 9, 2026. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.