The Best Waterfowl Hunting Spots in the Mississippi Flyway

The Best Waterfowl Hunting Spots in the Mississippi Flyway

Stretching from northern breeding grounds in Canada to the wintering marshes of the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Flyway is the most productive duck and goose migration corridor in North America. Each fall, millions of mallards, pintails, teal, gadwalls, geese, and divers funnel through its lakes, rivers, and wetlands, offering waterfowlers legendary hunts from September through January.

This guide highlights the best waterfowl hunting destinations throughout the Flyway—covering habitat strengths, species diversity, and what makes each region stand out. Whether you’re planning a bucket-list hunt or comparing outfitters across prime states, you can explore trusted options through Find A Hunt.

What Makes the Mississippi Flyway So Productive?

• Dense wetland networks from prairie potholes to river backwaters

• Reliable migration corridor with favorable north–south orientation

• Massive food availability (rice, corn, soybeans, moist-soil plants)

• Stable wintering habitat along the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Coast

• Large refuge systems that anchor migrating birds

With habitat diversity across multiple states, the Flyway delivers consistent hunting from early teal season to late-winter mallards and geese.

Top States & Hunting Hotspots in the Mississippi Flyway

Below are the premier regions that consistently stand out for both guided and DIY hunters.

1. North Dakota – Prairie Pothole Paradise

North Dakota marks the northern gateway to the Flyway.

Why It’s Great

• Early migrants and local ducks everywhere

• Outstanding mallard, pintail, and teal numbers

• Productive small sloughs, cattail marshes, and sheet water

• Options for both field hunting and water hunts

Best Areas

• Devils Lake Basin

• Missouri Coteau

• Central prairie pothole country

Peak Time: Early October through mid-November.

2. Minnesota – Lakes, Rivers & Marshes

Minnesota offers diverse hunts across lakes, rice beds, and big rivers.

Key Strengths

• Diver hunting on big water

• Classic mallard hunts along the Mississippi backwaters

• Strong early-season teal and wood ducks

Best Areas

• Mississippi River Pools 4–9

• Western prairie pothole region

• Lake of the Woods for divers

Peak Time: Mid-October.

3. Wisconsin – River Backwaters & Agricultural Edges

Wisconsin’s Mississippi River habitat is world-class.

Why Hunters Love It

• Premium diver shooting on big water

• Mallards staging heavily along river islands

• Abundant public access and flowages

Best Areas

• Mississippi River Pools 7–9

• Horicon Marsh (permits required)

• Mead Wildlife Area

Peak Time: Late October through November.

4. Iowa – Cornfields & Backwater Marshes

Iowa sits in the heart of the Flyway, where food is abundant.

Highlights

• Exceptional mallard and Canada goose hunting

• Shallow lakes and sloughs draw huge migration waves

• Accessible farm-country field hunts

Best Areas

• Sny Magill / Pool 9

• Iowa Great Lakes region

• Riverton Wildlife Area

Peak Time: Mid-November.

5. Illinois – Legendary Bottomlands

Illinois has a rich waterfowling history rooted in the Mississippi River valley.

Why It’s Great

• Historic refuges and wintering marshes

• Strong mallard numbers in cold snaps

• Premier goose hunting

Best Areas

• Swan Lake / Calhoun County

• Illinois River Valley (Rice Lake, Banner Marsh)

• Crab Orchard NWR

Peak Time: Late November through December.

6. Missouri – Mallard Capital of the Flyway

Missouri is widely considered one of the best mallard states in America.

Strengths

• Flooded crops and moist-soil units

• Massive conservation areas dedicated to waterfowl

• Exceptional public draw systems

Best Areas

• Grand Pass Conservation Area

• Eagle Bluffs

• Otter Slough

• Mississippi River Pool 24

Peak Time: Late November through early January.

7. Arkansas – The World’s Best Flooded Timber

Arkansas is the heart of classic mallard hunting in the flooded woods.

What Sets It Apart

• Famous green-timber mallard shoots

• Rice fields loaded with late-season ducks

• Striking numbers of mallards overwinter in the Delta

Elite Regions

• Bayou Meto WMA

• White River NWR

• Cache River

• Stuttgart / Grand Prairie

Peak Time: December through January.

8. Louisiana – Wintering Grounds of the Flyway

The final stop in the Flyway, Louisiana offers unmatched variety.

Why It Belongs on the List

• Immense marsh systems and rice fields

• Huge concentrations of gadwalls, pintails, teal, wigeon, and divers

• Long seasons and generous limits

Best Areas

• Southwest rice prairies

• Atchafalaya Basin

• Venice and coastal marshes

Peak Time: December and January.

Bonus: Mississippi & Tennessee River Valleys

Both states offer strong waterfowling thanks to river bottoms, reservoirs, and agricultural wetlands.

Highlights

• Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake

• Mississippi’s Delta region

• Kentucky and Tennessee reservoirs for divers and puddle ducks

These areas shine during cold fronts that push birds south.

Tips for Planning a Mississippi Flyway Hunt

Time Your Hunt with Cold Fronts

Arctic pushes bring fresh birds into the Flyway—especially mallards and geese.

Hunt Diverse Habitat

Try a mix of:

• Timber

• Rice fields

• Backwater sloughs

• Big-water diver setups

Scout Constantly

Success often depends on finding where birds are feeding today, not last week.

Respect Pressure

Rotate blinds and avoid sky-busting to keep birds working your area.

FAQs: Mississippi Flyway Waterfowl Hunting

Which state is the best overall?

Arkansas and Missouri often top the list for mallards; Louisiana is unbeatable for variety.

When is peak migration?

Usually late October through December, depending on weather.

Are there good public hunting options?

Yes—especially in Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

What species dominate the Flyway?

Mallards, gadwalls, teal, pintails, wood ducks, wigeon, divers, and Canada geese.

Do I need a boat?

Not always—many hunts occur in fields, timber, or walk-in wetlands.

Plan Your Waterfowl Adventure

The Mississippi Flyway offers unmatched opportunity for new and seasoned waterfowlers alike. Whether you’re chasing early-season teal in the Dakotas, mallards in Missouri’s flooded crops, or gadwalls in Louisiana’s coastal marshes, this iconic migration corridor never disappoints.

To compare guided duck and goose hunts across the Flyway, start exploring outfitters through our hunt marketplace.