Michigan Duck Migration Report 2026

Duck observations in Michigan usually jump to their fall high in a single week, around the week of Nov 2; they stay above the halfway mark between their July level and that high through the week of Nov 23. That is from ten years of research grade iNaturalist observations, 2016 to 2025, counted as a share of all bird observations so the growth of the app does not skew it.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas) runs the Pointe Mouillee SGA waterfowl counts, last counted in the week ending October 4, 2026 (1,265 ducks, 750 mallards). Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas) runs the Fish Point SWA waterfowl counts, last counted in the week ending September 27, 2026 (4,000 ducks, 750 mallards). Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas) runs the Shiawassee River SGA waterfowl counts, last counted in the week ending September 27, 2026 (3,140 ducks, 895 mallards). Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas) runs the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center waterfowl counts, last counted in the week ending September 20, 2026 (7,930 ducks, 100 mallards). Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas) runs the Nayanquing Point SWA waterfowl counts, last counted in the week ending September 20, 2026 (1,500 ducks, 750 mallards). Each count links to the agency's own report.

In Michigan, green-winged teal climb first, from around the week of Sep 21, and greater scaup come last, from around the week of Dec 7. That is the week each species' share of bird observations first passes the halfway mark between its July level and its fall high; the species chart shows all of them week by week.

Michigan is in the Mississippi Flyway. The continent's busiest duck corridor, following the Mississippi River system. The freeze watch for Michigan reads forecast lows at the Mississippi Flyway's northern staging areas: Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Green Bay, Alpena, Saginaw Bay.

The 2026 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service breeding survey estimated 33.4 ± 0.6 million birds, 6% below the long-term average of 35.4 ± 0.09 million. That is the fall flight's starting point for every state, Michigan included.

Season dates, zones and bag limits for Michigan are set by the state wildlife agency inside the federal frameworks and are listed on the Michigan waterfowl season page, linked below.