Illinois is part of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through April 30, 2026, with 37 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 Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 16 | 6 | 18 |
| South Central Zone1 | Nov 15 – Jan 13 | 6 | 18 |
| Central Zone1 | Oct 25 – Dec 23 | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone1 | Nov 29 – Jan 27 | 6 | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck | 1 | 3 |
14 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 2 first 15 days, 1 remaining.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| South Central Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Central Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone | Sep 6 – Sep 14 | 6 | 18 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Jan 15 | |||
| South Central Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Nov 15 – Jan 31 | |||
| Central Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 25 – Nov 2 | |||
| Nov 12 – Jan 31 | |||
| South Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Nov 29 – Jan 31 |
1Canada/cackling geese combined.
2Goose dates approximate — may differ from duck dates. Verify against IL digest.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1,2 | Oct 18 – Jan 15 | 20 | – |
| Central Zone1,2 | Oct 25 – Jan 31 | 20 | – |
| South Central Zone1,2 | Nov 15 – Jan 31 | 20 | – |
| South Zone1,2 | Nov 29 – Jan 31 | 20 | – |
1Snow, blue, and Ross geese combined.
2[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 16 – Apr 30 | – | – |
| South Central Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 30 | – | – |
| Central Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 30 | – | – |
| South Zone1 | Feb 1 – Apr 30 | – | – |
1No bag or possession limit. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns allowed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct 18 – Dec 16 | 15 | 45 |
| Central Zone | Oct 25 – Dec 23 | 15 | 45 |
| South Central Zone | Nov 15 – Jan 13 | 15 | 45 |
| South Zone | Nov 29 – Jan 27 | 15 | 45 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 16 | 5 | 15 |
| Central Zone1 | Oct 25 – Dec 23 | 5 | 15 |
| South Central Zone1 | Nov 15 – Jan 13 | 5 | 15 |
| South Zone1 | Nov 29 – Jan 27 | 5 | 15 |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 12 | 6 | – |
| South Central Zone1 | Nov 8 – Nov 9 | 6 | – |
| Central Zone1 | Oct 18 – Oct 19 | 6 | – |
| South Zone1 | Nov 15 – Nov 16 | 6 | – |
1Youth under 16 must be accompanied by adult 21+. Adult may not hunt.
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.