Minnesota Waterfowl Season Opens Saturday With Duck Numbers Up 62%

(KNSI) – Minnesota duck hunters have plenty to quack about heading into this weekend.

The state’s regular waterfowl season opens 30 minutes before sunrise on Saturday, and the birds should be there in good numbers. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says this spring’s breeding duck count came in at about 678,000, up 62% from last year and 11% above the long-term average going back to 1968. The DNR credits well-timed April rains for giving ducks better conditions to settle in and nest.

This is also the first waterfowl season under the DNR’s new electronic licensing system, which launched in June. The agency is urging hunters to buy their licenses early so a last-minute snag doesn’t leave them grounded on opening morning.

Licenses can be bought online, through the Minnesota DNR Licensing app in the Apple or Google app stores, or in person from a license agent. Hunters can carry them on paper, as a PDF, or stored in the app.

Anyone planning to buy in person should check the DNR’s map of 2026 license agents first to make sure their usual stop is selling licenses this year.

Information on required stamps, season dates, regulations and waterfowl identification is available by clicking here.

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