Ontario is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through January 11, 2026, with 12 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1 | Sep 10 – Dec 25 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Central District1 | Sep 20 – Jan 4 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Southern District1 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Hudson-James Bay District1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Regular Duck Season | 6 | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
1Verified: 6 daily/18 possession. Central Sep 20-Jan 4, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 25, Southern Sep 27-Jan 11. Includes early season segments in some districts.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1 | Sep 10 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 5 | – |
| Central District1 | Sep 20 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 5 | – |
| Southern District1 | Sep 27 – Jan 10 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 5 | – |
| Hudson-James Bay District1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Canada/Cackling Goose Season | 5 | – |
1Verified: 5 daily/no possession limit (residents). Central Sep 20-Dec 16, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 16, Southern Sep 27-Jan 10. Early goose seasons with higher limits exist in some WMUs.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern District1 | Sep 10 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 20 | – |
| Central District1 | Sep 20 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 20 | – |
| Southern District1 | Sep 27 – Jan 11 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 20 | – |
| Hudson-James Bay District1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 50 | – |
1Verified: 20 daily/no limit (HJB 50 daily). Central Sep 20-Dec 16, HJB Sep 1-Dec 16, Northern Sep 1-Dec 16, Southern Sep 27-Jan 11. Conservation order may extend season.
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.