Duck season in Minnesota varies by zone and follows a structured schedule set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage waterfowl populations along migration routes. For the 2025-2026 season (relevant as of January 2026), it includes an early teal opener, youth weekend, and main duck seasons split across north, central, and south zones.

Zone Breakdown

Minnesota divides the state into three waterfowl zones based on geography and duck migration patterns, allowing tailored hunting periods.

Zone| Dates (Ducks, Coots, Mergansers)| Key Notes 135
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North| Sept. 27 – Nov. 25, 2025| Continuous 60-day season; ideal for early northern migrants.
Central| Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025; Oct. 11 – Nov. 30, 2025| 9-day early split, then 51 days; balances youth hunts and late mallards.
South| Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025; Oct. 18 – Dec. 7, 2025| 12-day split shift for late-season birds like mallards 1.

Early Seasons

Before the main opener:

  • Early Teal Season : Sept. 6–10, 2025 (statewide, limited to teal only).
  • Youth Waterfowl Weekend : Sept. 13–14, 2025 (mentored youth hunts for ducks, geese).

These dates were finalized in spring 2025, with the south zone's longer split introduced to target late-migrating flocks.

Regulations Snapshot

Always verify with official DNR sources, as rules emphasize conservation:

  • Daily bag limits: 6 ducks total (species-specific caps like 4 mallards, max 2 hens).
  • Non-toxic shot required; HIP registration and federal duck stamp needed.
  • Seasons closed by late 2025, but check for 2026 updates via dnr.state.mn.us.

Hunter Tips

  • Scouting : Focus on wetlands, rivers, and flooded fields; apps like OnX Hunt help pinpoint public lands.
  • Opener Buzz : 2025's duck opener (Sept. 27) drew crowds, with videos showing hot action in flooded corn—mallards dominated.
  • Trends : Mild weather pushed birds south later, boosting south zone success post-split.

TL;DR : Main duck season opened Sept. 27, 2025, across zones with splits; north ended Nov. 25, central Nov. 30, south Dec. 7—all closed now in 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.