Michigan 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 9, 2026, with 38 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 | Sep 27 – Nov 30 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Middle Zone1 | Oct 4 – Nov 30 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 14 Regular Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Dec 27 – Dec 28 Regular Duck Season - Split 2 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Greater Scaup 3 scaup combined (lesser + greater) | 3 | 9 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup 3 scaup combined (lesser + greater) | 3 | 9 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
1Verified: All duck dates confirmed. North (Sept 27-Nov 30, Dec 13-14), Middle (Oct 4-Nov 30, Dec 13-14), South (Oct 18-Dec 14, Dec 27-28). 6/18 bag/possession confirmed. Pintail updated to 3/9 per 2025-26 national change.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| Middle Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| South Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 9 Early Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
1Verified: Sept 1-9 all zones, 6/18 confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Dark Geese - Regular Season | 5 | 15 |
| Middle Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Dark Geese - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 4 – Dec 19 Dark Geese - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Dark Geese - Split 1 (Early) | 5 | 15 |
| Oct 18 – Dec 14 Dark Geese - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 27 – Jan 4 Dark Geese - Split 3 (Holiday) | |||
| Jan 31 – Feb 9 Dark Geese - Split 4 (Late) |
1Verified: All goose dates confirmed. North continuous Sept 1-Dec 16, Middle 2 splits, South 4 splits. 5/15 with max 1 brant confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Light Geese - Regular Season | 20 | – |
| Middle Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Light Geese - Split 1 | 20 | – |
| Oct 4 – Dec 19 Light Geese - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Light Geese - Split 1 (Early) | 20 | – |
| Oct 18 – Dec 14 Light Geese - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 27 – Jan 4 Light Geese - Split 3 (Holiday) | |||
| Jan 31 – Feb 9 Light Geese - Split 4 (Late) |
1Verified: Dates match dark geese per zone. 20/null Mississippi Flyway limit confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 27 – Nov 30 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| Middle Zone1 | Oct 4 – Nov 30 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Coots - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 14 Coots - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Dec 27 – Dec 28 Coots - Split 2 |
1Verified: Dates match duck seasons per zone. 15/45 confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 27 – Nov 30 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| Middle Zone1 | Oct 4 – Nov 30 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 13 – Dec 14 Mergansers - Split 2 | |||
| South Zone1 | Oct 18 – Dec 14 Mergansers - Split 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Dec 27 – Dec 28 Mergansers - Split 2 |
1Verified: Dates match duck seasons per zone. 5/15 with max 2 hooded confirmed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Zone1 | Sep 20 – Sep 21 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
| Middle Zone1 | Sep 20 – Sep 21 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
| South Zone1 | Sep 20 – Sep 21 Youth Waterfowl Weekend | 6 | – |
1Verified: Sept 20-21 all zones confirmed.
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 has not yet been verified against official sources for this season. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.