Indiana 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 February 15, 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 Zone1,2 | Oct 18 – Dec 7 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 28 Second Split | |||
| Central Zone1,2 | Nov 1 – Nov 9 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 22 – Jan 11 Second Split | |||
| South Zone1,2 | Nov 8 – Nov 9 First Split | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 29 – Jan 25 Second Split |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
14 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 1 first 15 days, 2 remaining.
24 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 3 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 1 mottled duck. Scaup: 2.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North 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 Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 10 Early Canada | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Oct 26 Regular Season | |||
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 | |||
| Central Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 10 Early Canada | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 1 – Nov 9 Regular Season | |||
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 | |||
| South Zone1,2,3 | Sep 1 – Sep 14 Early Canada | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 12 Regular Season | |||
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 |
1Canada/cackling geese.
2Canada/cackling geese combined. Includes brant.
3Dates approximate — runs with duck season through Feb 15.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | 20 | – |
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 | |||
| Central Zone1 | Nov 1 – Nov 9 | 20 | – |
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 | |||
| South Zone1 | Nov 8 – Nov 12 | 20 | – |
| Nov 22 – Feb 15 |
1Snow, blue, Ross geese. No possession limit.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct 18 – Dec 7 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 28 Second Split | |||
| Central Zone | Nov 1 – Nov 9 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 22 – Jan 11 Second Split | |||
| South Zone | Nov 8 – Nov 9 First Split | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 29 – Jan 25 Second Split |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 7 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 20 – Dec 28 Second Split | |||
| Central Zone1 | Nov 1 – Nov 9 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 22 – Jan 11 Second Split | |||
| South Zone1 | Nov 8 – Nov 9 First Split | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 29 – Jan 25 Second Split |
1Max 2 hooded mergansers.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Oct 11 – Oct 12 | 6 | – |
| Central Zone1 | Oct 25 – Oct 26 | 6 | – |
| South Zone1 | Nov 1 – Nov 2 | 6 | – |
1Youth under 16 with licensed adult. Adult may not hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone | Oct 11 – Oct 12 | 6 | – |
| Central Zone | Oct 25 – Oct 26 | 6 | – |
| South Zone | Nov 1 – Nov 2 | 6 | – |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Nov 22 – Feb 15 White-fronted Geese | 2 | 6 |
| Central Zone1 | Nov 22 – Feb 15 White-fronted Geese | 2 | 6 |
| South Zone1 | Nov 22 – Feb 15 White-fronted Geese | 2 | 6 |
1White-fronted geese only.
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.