Minnesota not only boasts 23 species of ducks and geese, about 60% of North America's migratory birds pass through the state during their journeys each spring and fall along the Mississippi Flyway.DNR waterfowl management focuses on providing high-quality habitat for those nesting, brood rearing and migrating birds. Working at the state, regional and national levels, our work actively promotes abundant duck populations, the high-quality habitats they need, clean water and soil conservation benefits and opportunities for outdoor recreation.- Three-duck bag limit
Engage with us
Comment from Monday, July 20, to Monday, Aug. 17, on a proposed optional three-duck bag limit. There are three ways to comment:
- Questionnaire: Complete the online questionnaire.
- Webinar: From 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, get an overview of the proposal, ask questions and provide input. Connection details will be posted here in advance of the webinar.
- Email/mail: Contact Nate Huck, migratory game bird consultant, by email at [email protected] or by mailing him at Nate Huck; Fish and Wildlife Division; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; 500 Lafayette Road; St. Paul, MN 55155.
The proposal
Waterfowl hunter numbers have declined significantly during the past 20 years. Many factors are associated with this, including the harvest restrictions for certain species and sexes of ducks, which puts pressure on new or inexperienced hunters to be able to correctly identify waterfowl during their hunt. Duck identification can be difficult and can prevent potential hunters from getting into the sport.
Due to the potential barrier that waterfowl identification poses for new hunters, Minnesota is considering creating an optional, alternative three-duck bag limit. This would allow hunters to choose between:
- A new, alternative three-duck per day bag limit of any species and sex of duck.
- The current, standard six-duck bag limit with bag limits that vary by species and sex.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees waterfowl regulations in the United States and has been evaluating the use of this three-duck bag limit during the past several years. If Minnesota opts in to this effort, it would be participating in the second phase of evaluating the optional three-duck bag limit.
The goal of this effort is to recruit, retain and reactivate waterfowl hunters while maintaining sustainable populations of all duck species.
Hunter numbers and harvest will be closely monitored throughout the evaluation, and the optional three-duck bag limit will be removed if harvest on sensitive species of waterfowl is unexpectedly high.
Nebraska and South Dakota have been implementing the three-duck bag limit since 2021. Results from their experience indicate that new hunters were more likely to select the three-duck bag limit option than the six-duck bag limit. Additionally, those individuals who selected the three-duck bag limit option were less likely than individuals who selected the six-duck bag limit option to harvest species with lower bag limits such as canvasbacks, hen mallards, redheads and scaup.
- Duck action plan
The DNR's Duck Action Plan, which outlines short-term strategies to help meet long-term conservation goals, enables the DNR and conservation partners to more frequently assess and adjust activities in response to changing conditions that impact ducks.The updated version of the 2025-2030 plan is available for review.
The plan's goals are to:
- Increase the amount of wetland and grassland habitat for ducks.
- Maintain and enhance wetland, grassland and forest habitats for ducks.
- Increase opportunities for and participation in outdoor recreation related to ducks and their habitats.
- Increase public awareness and appreciation of wetland conservation for ducks and people.
- Waterfowl habitat
Whether it's a large collaborative plan like the multi-organizational Prairie Conservation Plan, restoring wetlands, reclaiming shallow lakes, practicing moist soils management or individual landowners stepping up to be stewards, conserving and enhancing habitat is an integral part of managing and maintaining waterfowl in Minnesota.- Waterfowl hunting
Waterfowl hunting is more than harvesting a feathered target. It's about building a blind, setting decoys, embracing the fall wind and rejoicing at the sound of wings.Mallards, woodies, redheads, scaup, ringnecks, teal and pintails still rest, feed and breed in Minnesota. Those birds offer opportunities to be part of the generations-old fall tradition of crouching in duck blinds and hiding along marshy shores.- Waterfowl in Minnesota
- Minnesota's waterfowl population – both nesting and migratory – is varied and abundant. You'll find puddle and diving ducks, a giant subspecies of Canada goose that nests here and several variety of mergansers.You'll also see loons, swans, pelicans, storks, herons, cranes and cormorants – migratory waterfowl and shorebirds that spend significant time in Minnesota's fields, forests, waters and wetlands.
- Waterfowl research
The Wetland Wildlife Populations and Research Group is responsible for providing information needed to manage waterfowl. Research biologists and scientists coordinate and interpret population surveys; conduct research projects that provide critical information; and provide technical assistance and information for DNR and the public.Human dimension surveys such as the 2017 survey of hunter activity and opinion that explore the attitudes, experiences and understanding of people also are a part of their work.- Population monitoring
Since 1968, the number of breeding waterfowl in Minnesota have been estimated as part of the DNR’s annual breeding population summary.Aerial observations in addition to more intensive ground counts on selected routes are conducted in May. The count in Minnesota is included in the overall inventory of North American breeding waterfowl.- Reports & statistics
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