6
Daily duck limit
8
Daily goose limit
6
Teal limit (early)
$16.00
Waterfowl license (res.)
Season Information
Season DatesEarly Teal: Sept 1–16; Zone A (North): Oct 5–Dec 8; Zone B (South): Oct 19–Dec 22; Metro Zone: Oct 19–Jan 5
FlywayMississippi Flyway
Zone InformationMinnesota has three waterfowl zones: Zone A covers the northern third of the state with an earlier opener; Zone B covers the southern agricultural region; the Metro Zone around the Twin Cities has an extended season to address the resident goose population. The Mississippi River, Lake of the Woods, and Red Lake complex are premier habitats.
Species NotesDucks: 6/day total; mallard 4 (2 hens); pintail 2; canvasback 2; redhead 2; scaup 2; wood duck 3; ring-neck 6. Geese: Canada goose 8/day (season totals vary by zone); snow/blue/Ross's 20/day; white-fronted goose 10/day.
License & Permit Requirements
State Hunting License
✅ Required
Federal Duck Stamp
✅ Required
HIP Registration
✅ Required
State Waterfowl Stamp
✅ Required ($9.00)
HIP Registration Info
HIP registration is required annually for all waterfowl hunters at no cost. Register online at dnr.state.mn.us or by calling the license center. A Minnesota waterfowl stamp ($9.00) is also required and is sold with hunting licenses. HIP number must be written on the back of your license.
How to Get Licensed for Waterfowl Hunting
1
Purchase a Minnesota hunting license ($28.00 resident) from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
2
Complete HIP Registration (free) — available when purchasing your hunting license or through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
3
Purchase the Federal Duck Stamp ($25) — required for all waterfowl hunters age 16+. Available at USPS offices or online.
4
Purchase the Minnesota Waterfowl Stamp ($9.00) — required in addition to your hunting license.
Additional Notes: Minnesota is one of the nation's most important waterfowl breeding and staging states, with the Prairie Pothole Region in the northwest providing irreplaceable nesting habitat for mallards, blue-winged teal, and canvasback. The Mississippi Flyway corridor through the eastern part of the state channels hundreds of thousands of divers and puddle ducks south during fall migration. The Lake of the Woods area near Canada is a celebrated destination for divers and geese. Minnesota's extensive network of state WMAs and federal waterfowl production areas gives hunters access to quality public habitat across the entire state.
Buy MN License — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources