Mallard Duck Season 2025–26
Mallards are the most-harvested duck in North America. Season dates by state, bag limits, top mallard destinations, and everything you need to know for 2025–26.
6/day aggregate (most flyways)
No separate mallard sub-limit (most states)
Verified 2025–26 data
Bag limit note: Mallards count toward the daily aggregate duck limit — 6/day in Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways; 7/day in the Pacific Flyway. There is no separate mallard sub-limit in most states. Some zones have hen mallard restrictions — confirm with your state agency.
2025–26 Mallard Season Dates by State
Top 25 duck hunting states. Dates reflect the most common zone or statewide opening. Always verify with your state wildlife agency.
| State | Flyway | Opens | Closes | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Mississippi | Sep 27, 2025 (North Zone) | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| North Dakota | Central | Oct 4, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| South Dakota | Central | Oct 4, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| Wisconsin | Mississippi | Sep 27, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| Michigan | Mississippi | Oct 1, 2025 (North Zone) | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| Iowa | Mississippi | Oct 11, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | 6 |
| Nebraska | Central | Oct 11, 2025 | Jan 18, 2026 | 6 |
| Kansas | Central | Oct 25, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Illinois | Mississippi | Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone) | Jan 4, 2026 | 6 |
| Indiana | Mississippi | Oct 25, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 | 6 |
| Ohio | Mississippi | Oct 11, 2025 | Dec 28, 2025 | 6 |
| Missouri | Mississippi | Oct 25, 2025 (North Zone) | Jan 18, 2026 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | Central | Nov 1, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Kentucky | Mississippi | Nov 22, 2025 | Jan 18, 2026 | 6 |
| Tennessee | Mississippi | Nov 22, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Texas | Central | Nov 1, 2025 (South Zone) | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Arkansas | Mississippi | Nov 22, 2025 | Jan 31, 2026 | 6 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi | Nov 22, 2025 | Jan 31, 2026 | 6 |
| Alabama | Mississippi | Nov 22, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Louisiana | Mississippi | Nov 8, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Maryland | Atlantic | Nov 8, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| Virginia | Atlantic | Nov 15, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 6 |
| California | Pacific | Oct 18, 2025 (Sac. Valley) | Jan 25, 2026 | 7 |
| Washington | Pacific | Oct 11, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 7 |
| Oregon | Pacific | Oct 11, 2025 | Jan 25, 2026 | 7 |
Bag limits are the daily duck aggregate. Mallards count toward this total. Pacific Flyway states have a 7/day aggregate. Data verified against state agency publications. Source: BlindBook Research Team, verified 2026-05-08.
Top Mallard Hunting States
Arkansas
The Grand Prairie and White River systems host the largest mallard concentrations in North America each winter. Stuttgart, AR bills itself as the 'Duck Capital of the World.' World-class flooded rice and timber hunting.
Louisiana
Millions of mallards and other ducks winter in Louisiana's coastal marshes and flooded agricultural fields. Some of the highest per-hunter harvest rates in the country.
Missouri
Sits at the convergence of multiple migration corridors. Squaw Creek, Schell-Osage, and Marais Temps Clair public areas offer exceptional mallard hunting.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Delta is prime mallard wintering habitat. Public WMAs and private club hunting available throughout the Delta region.
Minnesota
Top breeding ground state — the Minnesota prairie is where millions of mallards are born each year. Outstanding opener hunting in September/October.
North Dakota
The Dakotas produce more breeding mallards than any other state. Outstanding early season hunting on potholes and harvested grain fields.
South Dakota
Prime prairie pothole breeding habitat. South Dakota consistently ranks among the top states for total mallard harvest in USFWS data.
Mallard Hunting — Frequently Asked Questions
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Data compiled from state wildlife agency publications and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Source: BlindBook Research Team, verified 2026-05-08. Always confirm with official state agency regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.