Weekly waterfowl migration report

Success across the state for the opener was generally poor to moderate, with a few bright spots spread across the state. The warm weather with south winds this week has led to very little bird movement this week. The cold front coming Sunday may bring some birds into the state. As a reminder the split starts Monday in the Central and South zones. Good luck to those who venture out and stay safe!

Cambridge

Habitat: Small grains have been harvested but very little activity in harvesting of soybeans & corn. It has been dry for the past week, but wetlands and shallow bodies of water still hold good huntable amounts. Hot weather persists through this second weekend of the waterfowl season with a little cooler weather coming in next week.

Migration: Very few waterfowl have moved in or out of the area due to the nice weather we are having. Canada Geese can still be observed feeding in small grain fields and alfalfa.

Weather: Opening weather conditions were not ideal - hot - mid 80s through the weekend.

Activity: Although weather conditions were not ideal there was still a good turnout of waterfowl hunters. Mallards and Woodducks dominated the bag with a mix of pintails, teal and wigeon also. Good Luck!

Mille Lacs WMA

Habitat: Habitat conditions are in great shape. Many ponds had excellent wild rice production this year. Water levels are average for this time of year. Access to ponds and wetlands remains good.

Migration: Local ducks and geese are the primary birds present in the area. Species consist primarily of mallards, wood ducks and teal. No influx of new birds.

Weather: Weather continues to remain unseasonably warm and dry. An expected cold front next will be quite welcome.

Activity: Opening weekend saw decent success for some hunters and some struggled. Local bag checks averaged a couple birds per group. Hunter pressure was significant which is common for opening weekend.

North Metro/Carlos Avery WMA

Habitat: Habitat conditions remain largely unchanged from the previous report. Access is still good and wild rice stalks are starting to break down.

Migration: Goose numbers have increased slightly since last week. Mallards, wood ducks and green-winged teal dominate our counts with a few ring-necks around.

Weather: Unseasonably warm weather will stay through this weekend with some cooler temps and a light north wind coming on Monday. The north wind will hopefully bring down a few fresh birds during the season split.

Activity: Reports from opening weekend indicated it was slow. There are ducks around but duck activity seems to be limited to the first 2 hours of shooting light and not much after the temps start rising. Ducks have already adapted their behavior to hunting pressure and are finding spots where hunters aren't. REMEMBER the season split starts on Monday.

Aitkin

Habitat: Wild rice beds still in good shape, providing good cover. Water levels should provide good access for hunters.

Migration: Unseasonably warm weather and south winds continued thru the week leading to little if any new bird number in the area

Weather: Cold front moving in next week producing daytime highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s and possible the first hard frost on Tuesday.

Activity: Hunters who made it out for opener reported good success with wood duck, mallard, teal, and some ringnecks making up the majority of the bag.

Brainerd

Habitat: No report.

Migration: No report.

Weather: No report.

Activity: No report.

Grand Rapids

Habitat: Molt migrant Canada geese are contiuing to trickle into the region. There are a few more ring-necks and mallards showing up in areas, but mostly local birds moving around the region.

Migration: Warm weather has caused flights to be short and early or well after shooting hours. Weather forecast for the weekend calling for highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's with chances of rain Saturday night and Sunday.

Weather: Opening weekend was slow at best. Spotty reports of hunters harvesting mostly ring-necks, teal and mallards. Good pre-scouting is a must for success.

Activity: The early teal and goose season was slow from hunters we received reports from. Very few birds around with limited opportunities.

Park Rapids

Habitat: Water levels are low and continue to drop due to recent droughts and dry weather making access difficult in some areas. The wild rice stands are deteriorating but the densest beds are still providing decent food and cover. Crop harvest is behind normal but small grain harvest is complete while soybean, edible bean, and corn silage harvest is underway.

Migration: No real migration activity has been observed lately with the warm calm conditions. Local goose numbers are good, but wood ducks are down and very few teal remain. A cold front is expected to move through late Sunday, which will hopefully bring some more birds into the area.

Weather: Near record warm temperatures with south winds are predicted for the end of the week. The fall continues to be warm and dry with some of the area now listed as in a moderate drought.

Activity: Hunter participation on the opener was pretty good but most had below average success. Better hunting was reported on Saturday but Sunday was noticeably slower. The most common birds in the bag were mallards, wood ducks, and Canada geese with a few teal and ringnecks also taken.

Cloquet

Habitat: Water levels are mostly normal for this time of year. Wild rice production was variable this year. Some lakes have good rice and on some it is really poor.

Migration: Typical mix of local ducks around with teal, wood ducks and mallards most common. Some ringnecks have started to stage and there are a few gadwall and widgeon. Seems to be more geese around now compared to the early season.

Weather: Very summer like conditions with temps in the 70s and 80s recently. It has been dry and stable as well.

Activity: Hunter success varied. Folks who found the right spots did well. We completed a bag check at Canosia WMA and hunters bagged 1.4 ducks per hunter on Saturday morning.

Tower

Habitat: Water levels are average across the work area. Access should be generally good getting into lakes and rivers. Wild rice is variable across the work area. Scouting will aid in finding the dense pockets attracting waterfowl usage.

Migration: The unseasonable warm temperatures has not aided in any movement yet. Local birds remain in the area as we await new ones.

Weather: Unseasonablly warm day and night time temperatures and this trend will continue into the weekend with highs into the 80s. Next week we dip down a little bit with lows in the 30's F and highs in 60's F.

Activity: Some local goose harvest success. Local observations of hunters indicate a lower than average harvest rate on opening weekend.

Roseau River WMA

Habitat: 2025 Pool target levels were similar to last year except Pool 3 is at maximum capacity and the east part of Pool 2 has been drawn down within 6"" of bottom for a dike repair. Beginning the year in drought has allowed the targets to be maintained throughout the growing season and the habitat has responded well. Where wild rice can be found on RRWMA, it was exceptionally prolific and very attractive where shallow water foraging opportunites present themselves. The Roseau River has near normal summer flows and watercraft can readily navigate the main channel. The oxbows are densely vegetated due to the spring drought conditions but have openwater pockets. Construction is underway on the east side of Roseau Lake, please find other means of accessing the WMA. Potholes within the basin have standing water but the basin as a whole is dry. Wheat harvest is complete and the fields burned, disked or both and approximately 50% of the soybeans are off.

Migration: Waterfowl production was average on the pools and poor on the river. Hatch dates trended earlier this year and it appears as if some hatch year birds have already pulled out. The first influx geese and dabblers occurred on 9/5 and there was a significant migration on 9/25 as well. Blue-wings were scarce for teal season and but have since arrived. Ringnecks, mallards, blue-wing teal, and wood ducks can be found in good numbers across the area but relatively few mallards have been harvested. Canada goose numbers using RRWMA have declined since opener; however, there are still good numbers in the greater area. Only a few Sandhill Cranes remain.

Weather: Consistent rains since the first of July have reduce the effects of the drought. Potholes and ditches once again are holding some water and the river is at more regular summer flows. The forecast is for generally southerly winds and 80 degrees until Saturday night with a chance of rain both Friday and Saturday. A front is expected to hit Saturday night that will bring rain and high north to northwest winds Sunday. Temperatures will drop 20 degrees and remain around 50 degrees, with lows near freezing, for the first part of next week. Hopefully this front will carry waterfowl with it.

Activity: Fewer teal hunter and overwater goose hunters participated in the early season this year. Hunter success varied by location but averaged 1.6 teal per hunter and 0.4 geese per hunter (gph). Youth hunters averaged 2.8 ducks per hunter and 1 gph. Hunter numbers were once again well below average for opener but those that did go out fared well. Hunters averaged 3.0 dph and 0.3 gph Saturday and 3.2 dph and 0.2 gph Sunday. Dike repairs are ongoing on Pool 2 but public access will be permitted for the waterfowl season so long as conditions permit. Please use care around equipment and new gravel. Pool 2 will remain in drawdown with 6"" or less of water. Only canoes and kayaks are recommended. For additional updates, please see the RRWMA website. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wmas/detail_report.html?id=wma0900600

Thief Lake WMA

Habitat: The lake level is just barely above our normal fall target level, which is about 8 inches lower than last year on opener. Accesses on the south side of the lake are a bit shallow. Bullrush cover is mostly tall and dense. Submerged weeds are very thick in places and outboard motors may struggle. Sago pondweed seed production looks good. No corn has been cut yet.

Migration: Thief Lake got its first noticeable influx of ducks last Wednesday, September 24 (just after I submitted last week's update!). Ringnecks, wigeon, mallards, blue-winged teal, and redheads were the top species harvested over the first 3 days of the season. There are a lot of coots out towards the middle of the lake. It's tough to decoy ducks with hundreds or thousands or frolicking coots nearby. The goose count from the west (refuge) end of the lake yielded only 303 Canada geese this Wednesday morning. Some geese may have stayed on the lake given the hot weather. Decent numbers of ducks were observed over the refuge while waiting for geese to fly.

Weather: We have had near record heat in the upper 70s and low 80s since Opening Day. That weather will continue through Saturday. Rain is expected to start Saturday night and continue into Sunday, when the wind will shift out of the northwest and temperatures will fall all day to a low in the 30s. Average to below-average temperatures are expected next week. West and northwest winds will shift out of the south mid-week.

Activity: Hunter numbers opening weekend were up about 15% from last year and similar to 2023. Hunters averaged 3.2 ducks each on Opening Day. That's more than double last year's 1.54 and close to 2023's near record 3.61! 2025 ranks as the 6th best Opening Day success rate in Thief Lake history! Ringnecks, wigeon, and blue-winged teal were the top birds in the bag. Sunday's average dropped to 1.4 ducks per hunter with ringnecks, wigeon, mallards, and redheads being most frequent. Hunting pressure dropped on Monday. Ducks per hunter also dropped all the way down to 0.55. Hunting pressure has been very light during the week.

Thief River Falls

Habitat: Water levels in the lakes and wetlands are normal, with good access. Small grain harvest is complete, with some fields having been worked at least once. Soybean harvest is on-going.

Migration: No change from last week with this period of warm, dry weather. No big movements. There are pockets of ducks and geese around but will require some scouting.

Weather: Warm temperatures have continued this past week with lows in the 50's and 60's at night, and upper 70's and 80's for daytime highs.That trend is forecast to continue through Saturday, with conditions then changing overnight and a high in the low 60's on Sunday. Winds will be around 15 mph on Saturday, increasing to 20-25 mph on Sunday with higher gusts. Good chances of rain overnight Saturday and throughout Sunday, with total potential accumulation between 0.5 and 1 inch.

Activity: No reports

Owatonna

Habitat: No report.

Migration: No report.

Weather: No report.

Activity: No report.

Appleton

Habitat: Flooded fields have really started to dry and water levels from heavy summer rains are finally starting to receed, but still more water than normal across the landscape.

Migration: It's been mild enough that we haven't seen much movement in the last few weeks, except for a few molt migrate geese and an uptick in green winged teal. Still a fair number of blue-winged teal and wood ducks, but also a few gadwall, widgeon and pintail mixed in already. Mallards are spotty.

Weather: Hot. Fortunately, we've had some wind to help keep birds moving a bit througout the day. Expected to remain hot through the weekend, but finally cool down early next week.

Activity: Opening weekend was busy. Some very good reports, but some very bad reports as well.Success was limited to folks hunting flooded crops, pastures, or wetland fringes with security and plenty of food.

Lac qui Parle WMA

Habitat: Water levels on wetlands and impoundments are at normal pool or slighlty above normal due to recent rainfall. In some cases, waterlevels may be way above normal. Water levels on Lac qui Parle Lake is currently at normal pool, but conditions continue to change. Water levels on Marsh Lake are at or above normal pool. Boat access should be great on Marsh lake. Much of the cattails have died back due to high water levels. Some silage fields have been harvested in the area. Not much for corn or soybean harvest notied, but will be starting to pick up soon.

Migration: Still no noticable influx of Canada geese or early season migrants. Still good numbers of Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, and Wood ducks around. Some good pockets of Wigeon and Gadwall.

Weather: Forecast for this weekend looks to be very warm. Highs in the low 90's for Saturday with breezy winds out of the south. Sunday is a bit cooler with temps in the 80's with strong southerly winds again. If forecast holds true. The temps begin to plumet sunday evening and into next week with many highs in the 60's.

Activity: 2025 opening day car counts and bag checks on Lac qui Parle WMA yielded 66 vehicles. WMA staff talked to 64 hunters, and they harvested 292 ducks for an average of 4.56 ducks per hunter. Which was higher than the 2024 opening day number of 2.87 ducks per hunter. Most common duck in the bag was Blue-winged Teal. Followed by GWT, Wigeon, Gadwall, Wood duck, and Mallards. Cattail spraying via helicopter took place in August 2024 on Marsh Lake. Many areas of cattails have died back making access and boating easier on the majority of the lake. Scouting ahead of time will be important. Remember the eastern half of the lake is feeding and resting area and is closed to motorized boats.

Marshall

Habitat: No report.

Migration: No report.

Weather: No report.

Activity: No report.

New Ulm/Redwood Falls

Habitat: No report.

Migration: No report.

Weather: No report.

Activity: No report.

Swan Lake

Habitat: The lake is about 4 inches over full service level, but is slowly dropping with the warm temps and dry conditions over the last 2 weeks. Habitat conditions on Swan are still excellent with access to abundant food sources. Farmers are continuing to take out corn and soy beans in the area with some more movement from geese moving off their summering areas into harvested fields.

Migration: There are small numbers of dabblers around with the warm weather but no push of new birds yet. Reports of hundreds of coots still staging on the big lake with small flocks of mallards, teal and wood ducks have been scattered around on area wetlands. Some reports of pintail, redheads and ring-necked ducks have been coming into local conservation officers as well.

Weather: Overnights have been warm with gusty south winds keeping the heavy fog and temps in the area. Weather outlook going into the weekend looks hot and buggy with highs in the low 90s through Saturday and upper 70ss on Sunday before a cold front moving in Sunday afternoon/evening going into the south zone split.

Activity: Reports from opening weekend were variable. Some hunters had their limit where a majority managed to scratch out 1 or 2 birds. Swan Lake bag checks averaged ~1.2 birds/hunter with 66 hunters checked and 79 birds harvested. This is down from last years bag check which was ~1.7 birds/hunter and the 20 year average of ~1.98 birds/hunter. Most hunting occured on opening day over Sunday which was forcasted to have low winds and unfavorable hunting conditions.

Windom

Habitat: Wetland conditions and shallow lakes are in decint condition. With this weeks lack of precipitation and heat our water levels have dropped.

Migration: Local ducks include teal, mallards and wood ducks. No noticable movement of ducks into or out of the area.

Weather: The forecast for this weekend is anything but duck hunting weather. Highs forecasted to be in the 80s over the weekend with zero precipitation.

Activity: Mostly a poor opener with most hunters getting a few ducks. Bags were primarily blue wing teal, wood ducks and mallards. Green wing teal were in the bag as well as a few pintail.

Detroit Lakes

Habitat: Habitat conditions remain dry across most of the work area, with water levels continuing to drop. Wild rice stands remain in decent shape still. Crop harvest is progressing with farmers completing most of the edible beans in the past week and hitting the soybeans hard.

Migration: No new migrant birds have been noted, local mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal, and ringnecks remain in low numbers. Most of these birds have found refuge on private lands and secluded areas that have little to no hunting pressure. Temps in the 80s have limited bird movement. Canada goose numbers are stale also.

Weather: Temperatures are forecasted to be very warm the rest of the week into Saturday with highs well into the 80s and south winds. A front is expected Saturday night with winds shifting to the north and highs of 60 beginning Sunday. This should spur some duck movement.

Activity: Opening weekend success in the Detroit Lakes work area was Fair at best. Reports from local conservation officers indicate hunter success was <1.5ducks/hunter. Limits were a rare exception. Common species harvested were wood ducks, blue-winged teal, mallards, redheads, and ringnecks. Success was lower than last year. Hunters saw and harvested some birds; wood duck and mallard numbers were about average, but blue-winged teal numbers being down drastically impacted hunter success. Some reports of decent ringneck numbers in the rice beds. Goose hunters are finding some success, scouting will be key for success this weekend.

Fergus Falls/Lake Christina

Habitat: Wetlands are in good condition around the area, holding much more water than the past couple seasons. Lake Christina is still in pretty good shape, but plant density and water clarity vary depending on where you are on the lake. Soybean harvest has begun in the area, so field opportunities will continue to improve.

Migration: No new migrations noted with the warm, windy weather.

Weather: It's been hot and windy in the area, with highs into the 80's and strong south winds. More of the same until Sunday when cooler weather and perhaps some rain arrives.

Activity: Plenty of hunters were afield for the opening weekend. Success, however, was spotty, with some reporting limits while others struggled. Warm weather surely did not help. Ducks in the bag included blue-winged teal, mallards, wigeon, and ringnecks.

Glenwood

Habitat: Water levels are high on most of the wetlands creating deep water/poor habitat conditions on the larger basins. At the same time we are seeing sheet water in fields and flooded areas around wetlands creating shallow water feeding conditions for ducks. Making the ducks that are here spread out.

Migration: I have been seeing a few ducks around. Wood ducks, blue wing teal a few divers along with what appears to be a slight increase in the number of geese. We did have the standard drop off in duck numbers after what appears to be from everything I have heard a slow opener both in terms of duck numbers, suscess and number of hunters.

Weather: Weather conditions have been wet over the last couple of months creating deep water conditions on the open wetlands and flooding in the fields and uplands around wetlands, this is particulary true in the southern part of the work area with most wetlands in flood stage.

Activity: Hunter activity seemed very low even on Saturday and what was there saw drop off in hunter numbers into Sunday and almost zero hunting during the week. The few people that I have talk to have had varying success. I think some of this is due to a lack of birds and some of it has to do with there being so much sheet water around the ducks do not have to move.