Minnesota Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- Earliest opener
- Sep 26
- Latest close
- Dec 6
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
North Zone
South Zone
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Central Zone opens in
3 days
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Season dates by zone
Duck season, by zone. Always confirm shooting hours with Minnesota DNR.
Central Zone
60 days
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 10 – Nov 29, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
Minnesota Rules 6240.0620, subp. 4 (verbatim): the Central Waterfowl Zone consists of that portion of the state that is not included in the North or South Waterfowl Zone.
North Zone
60 days
- Sep 26 – Nov 24, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
Minnesota Rules 6240.0620, subp. 2 (verbatim): that portion of the state lying north of a line beginning on Minnesota Highway 210 at the western boundary of the state; thence along Minnesota Highway 210 to Minnesota Highway 23; thence along Minnesota Highway 23 to Minnesota Highway 39; thence along Minnesota Highway 39 to the eastern border of the state. This rule has been in effect unchanged since 2015 (history: 39 SR 1006) and is separate from the annual season-setting emergency rule -- also used as the zone map for the regular Canada goose and light goose seasons (Minnesota Rules 6240.0950 references the same three zones).
South Zone
60 days
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 6, 2026
Full boundary ↓Hide ↑
Minnesota Rules 6240.0620, subp. 3 (verbatim): that portion of the state lying south of a line extending from the South Dakota state line along U.S. Highway 212 to Interstate Highway 494; thence along Interstate Highway 494 to Interstate Highway 94; thence along Interstate Highway 94 to the Wisconsin state line.
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Light goose conservation order
Coot
Central Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 10 – Nov 29, 2026
Coot
North Zone
- Sep 26 – Nov 24, 2026
Coot
South Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 17 – Dec 6, 2026
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 5 – Sep 9, 2026
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Sep 5 – Sep 20, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Central Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 10 – Dec 30, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
North Zone
- Sep 26 – Dec 25, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
South Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 6, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Sep 5 – Sep 20, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Central Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 10 – Dec 30, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
North Zone
- Sep 26 – Dec 25, 2026
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
South Zone
- Sep 26 – Oct 4, 2026
- Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 6, 2027
Light goose conservation order
Statewide
- Feb 18 – Apr 30, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- Statewide:
- Sep 12 – Sep 13, 2026
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 20 daily, 60 in possession.
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Light geese: No daily limit daily.
Light goose conservation order
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup (Central Zone): 1, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
Scaup (North Zone): 1, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
Scaup (South Zone): 1, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in Minnesota
Small game license
Minnesota Migratory Waterfowl Stamp validation — Required of residents age 18-64 and nonresidents age 16 and older.
Federal Duck Stamp — Required for hunters age 16 and older.
Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
License and permit names and exemptions are set by the state and can change without notice, and fees aren’t listed here for the same reason. MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with Minnesota DNR (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.
Disclaimer: Bag limits and season dates are for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify with USFWS and your state wildlife agency before hunting. Dates and limits above reflect the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-07-23. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.