Details
2026 waterfowl hunt opener conditions
Conditions at specific waterfowl areas
Most of the following areas will be open to waterfowl hunting in 2026. Tap or click each area to view its conditions.
Bear River Bay
Water/marsh conditions: Bear River Bay has been dry all summer and will not have water until around mid-October. Those water levels will depend on the amount of water the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge releases. The refuge just finished replacing water-control structures on the Unit 2 dike and will release water after they have filled their impoundments.
Bird use: As of Sept. 9, there was no water and, therefore, no birds.
Access: Gates will open on Sept. 17, but again, there is no water to launch a boat or to hunt.
General information: Bear River Bay is in the Northern goose area. Dark goose hunting is allowed from Oct. 3-10 and from Oct. 26-Jan. 31, 2027.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Access and water conditions: While habitat conditions are improving, boating access may be limited this year due to the ongoing drought that's affecting much of northern Utah.
Unit 3B is full and ready for the youth hunt.
Because water-control structures needed to be replaced, Unit 2D started filling on Sept. 9. It may not be full by the youth hunt, but it will be full by the general opener.
Unit 1A has been slowly filling since Sept. 1.
Unit 2B is filling, but it won't be full until the general opener.
Unit 2C will be burned this fall — to remove phragmites — and it won't receive water until the burn has been completed.
Please see the following resources for more information about hunting and access at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge:
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge website
Hunting at Bear River MBR
Bear River MBR hunting brochure and map
National Wildlife Refuge general hunting laws
General Refuge rules and policies
Contact Bear River MBR or call 435-723-5887
Blackhawk WMA
The Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Area was acquired in 2023. Currently, there is no public access to this property. The DWR is actively collaborating with the Salt Lake City International Airport to establish access to the area, with the goal of opening it to the public as soon as possible.
Browns Park WMA
Water/marsh conditions: It's been a dry year, and vegetation and water levels have suffered as a result.
Ponds at the Headquarters unit are dry.
Water levels on the Butch Cassidy unit will be close to full.
The Bridgeport unit will be low.
Ponds on the Parsons unit will be full until nighttime temperatures reach freezing and the canal is shut off.
River levels are expected to range from 860 to 2,500 cubic feet per second, depending on dam releases.
Access: Road access from Dutch John to the Bridgeport unit is in good condition. The roads to the Parsons and Butch Cassidy units are somewhat rough, but passable. The swinging bridge is open in Colorado and has a maximum width of 8 feet.
Bird use: Current bird numbers are low in the ponds, due to low water levels, but there are still birds along the Green River corridor. Youth Waterfowl Hunt participants should expect to see birds, which typically decoy well. For the general opener, hunters will mostly see mallards, green-winged teal, wigeons and gadwalls. Hunters should expect to see few Canada geese this year.
General information: Water levels will be variable. Storms may wash out roads, which will be repaired as quickly as possible.
Clear Lake WMA, Topaz Slough WMA, Redmond Reservoir and Bicknell Bottoms WMA
Marsh/water conditions:
Clear Lake: The spring flows at Clear Lake WMA are similar to last year, with no huntable water available for the opening of the season. The water levels will hopefully increase as the season progresses. The entire WMA has never been this dry. Areas south of the county road have no water. There is no water north of the county road for the beginning of the season. Like last year, the water will begin to fill areas as the weather cools down. The west marsh area continues to be dry. Conditions typically improve as the season progresses; more ducks show up and water increases with each passing week.
Topaz Slough: Marsh conditions at Topaz Slough are completely dry.
Redmond: Redmond has good conditions on small impoundments, and also has access (foot traffic only) to the Sevier River.
Bicknell Bottoms: Bicknell Bottoms has excellent conditions. Water levels are good, and waterfowl numbers are up this year. Much work has been done to improve the area for both waterfowl and upland game hunting.
Access: All of the areas allow only nonmotorized boats, due to shallow water conditions. Camping is allowed at Clear Lake in the parking lots, and fires are permitted. ATVs are prohibited in all the areas listed.
Waterfowl use:
Clear Lake: There's no huntable water, but a few birds will use the rest pond when they are migrating though the area.
Bicknell Bottoms: Good numbers of ducks and geese can be found at Bicknell Bottoms. This area offers good hunting in both the early and late seasons.
Redmond: Redmond is generally better for duck hunting earlier in the season.
Upland bird hunting opportunities: Clear Lake, Redmond and Bicknell Bottoms are all good places to try pheasant hunting. Each area is open for pheasant hunting for 30 days, and they all have excellent habitat for the birds and hunters to enjoy. Please check the current Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for details and shooting hours. Clear Lake, Redmond and Bicknell Bottoms will all receive released pheasants each week during the general-season pheasant hunt. If hunters are looking to get away from the crowds, try these areas.
General information:
The Southern Zone duck season is open Oct. 10, 2026-Jan. 23, 2027. The Youth Waterfowl Hunt in the Southern zone is Sept. 26.
Youth quail hunting is open statewide from Oct. 31–Nov. 2. Youth pheasant hunting is open statewide from Oct. 31–Nov. 5.
Steel shot is required to hunt at all times inside Clear Lake and Bicknell Bottoms.
Gunnison Bend Reservoir is a large rest area in Delta. Many waterfowl stay there during the day and fly off eventually to go feed in the surrounding agricultural fields. Some success is found by scouting and asking permission to hunt private lands.
Desert Lake WMA
Water/marsh conditions: Due to dry conditions in the area, most ponds went dry during the heat of the summer. After summer rains, most of the ponds now have water in them. Ponds are currently holding resident birds, and migrating birds should arrive soon.
Access: The ponds can be accessed on the county roads that go through the property. Six parking lots can be found along the county roads for waterfowl hunters. No camping is allowed on Desert Lake WMA. Please use the adjacent BLM property for overnight stays.
Bird use: Waterfowl numbers have begun to increase over the last month and should remain steady until the general opener. Waterfowl numbers typically go down following the opener, until migration begins. There should be waterfowl present for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 26, and they should decoy well. Common species at Desert Lake WMA include wigeons, gadwalls, mallards, green-wing teal, redheads, Canada geese and coots.
Farmington Bay WMA, Timpie Springs WMA & Layton-Kaysville WMA
Water/marsh conditions:
Farmington Bay WMA: Wetland conditions within the impounded units at Farmington Bay WMA are currently favorable and progressing well in preparation for the upcoming waterfowl season. While impounded units are on track to reach desired hunt levels by Oct. 3, water levels outside of these areas remain variable due to natural fluctuations.
Habitat conditions across interior sheet-flow wetlands and impoundments are excellent, supported by recent and ongoing management actions. Invasive phragmites have been effectively controlled through targeted herbicide treatments and rotational cattle grazing. Herbicide applications were completed in August 2026 along dike lines and accessible areas, using Marsh Masters, tracked vehicles and road equipment. Grazing was conducted this summer in the Turpin Unit, north of Turpin, Unit 1, Unit 2, South Draw-down, West Crystal and Doug Miller to further enhance habitat quality.
Timpie Springs WMA: Although Timpie Springs WMA is a relatively small wetland complex, it currently exhibits good-to-excellent marsh conditions. The area consists of two large impoundments, sheet-flow wetlands, mudflats and upland habitat, totaling approximately 1,440 acres. Both ponds are currently full and overflowing into adjacent wetlands and flats. Vegetation is characterized by low-standing saltgrass and scattered bulrush species, creating favorable habitat for early migrating waterfowl.
Layton-Kaysville wetlands: Marsh conditions at Layton-Kaysville are fair to poor, primarily due to phragmites encroachment and low water levels.
Airboat conditions: Airboating conditions across the shallow bays of the Great Salt Lake appear favorable, heading into the 2026 waterfowl season. However, hunters should use caution. Fluctuating vegetation, submerged hazards and expansive mudflats — outside the diked units in Farmington Bay, the Layton-Kaysville wetlands and the open waters of the Great Salt Lake — may present navigational challenges. Water will be released from the airboat launch as long as the impounded and sheet-flow units maintain optimal levels.
Access:
Farmington Bay WMA access points will open Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at 8 a.m. A wakeless speed is recommended in all impoundments due to submerged hazards. Hunters should consider bird-retrieval logistics when selecting a hunting location.
Timpie Springs WMA is open to public access year-round.
Gaily wetlands will open to the public beginning Sept. 17, 2026 (two days before the Youth Waterfowl Hunt in the Northern zone, which is on Sept. 19).
The Layton-Kaysville access point near Rouche Lane in West Farmington has been permanently closed. It has been replaced by a new access point, located at the 950 N. exit off the West Davis Corridor, which will open Sept. 17, 2026.
Bird use: Currently, large concentrations of ducks and geese are present at Farmington Bay WMA. Habitat improvements and scheduled flooding of sheet-flow wetlands in mid-September are expected to enhance bird distribution throughout the area.
Hunters can expect strong early-season numbers of cinnamon teal, gadwall and pintail. Diving ducks typically arrive later in October. Tundra swan harvests usually peak in mid-to-late November, while dark goose hunting tends to improve during the extended goose season.
General information:
The northwest corner of Unit 1 is designated as a waterfowl rest area, and it is closed to hunting and trespass.
The area west of the main entrance road to the first right bend — and north to Goose Egg Island — is closed for educational purposes.
Shooting is prohibited within 600 feet of all dikes and any motorized roads at Farmington Bay WMA.
Airboats are prohibited within diked units.
The South Crystal Unit is designated as a motorless area.
Camping is allowed only in designated parking areas. Open fires are prohibited. Please pack out all trash to help us maintain these privileges.
The ADA hunting blind is available by reservation only. Contact David England at 385-405-4852 or Wyat Hansen at 385-588-4623 for reservations and rules.
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
The Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Please see the following resources for more information:
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge website
Hunting at Fish Springs NWR
National Wildlife Refuge general hunting laws
General Refuge rules and policies
Contact Fish Springs NWR or call 435-693-3122
Harold Crane WMA
Water/marsh conditions: Generally, marsh and impoundment conditions are great.
Main impoundments: There is excellent aquatic vegetation growth in the south impoundment. The east and west impoundments were also flooded and have excellent aquatic vegetation growth. In addition to the aquatic vegetation, a lot of alkali bulrush has germinated and is growing within the impoundments.
Exterior flats: There are great conditions on flats to the east. Areas north and west of the impoundments are beginning to flood.
Rainbow Unit: The Rainbow Pond is filled with water and should have water throughout the hunt. The area north of the Rail Trail also looks good on the east end. It was burned and then grazed by cattle and has good water.
Access:
Gates will be opened on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The road with three parking lots that provide access to the west Rainbow Unit is in good condition. The main Harold Crane parking lot has also been improved.
The federal Bureau of Reclamation road to Harold Crane (through the Willard Upland Game Bird Area) is in fair shape because of the hard work that our waterfowl maintenance crew has done. The headgate bridges are slightly narrower than the road, so be careful.
Bird numbers:
Main impoundments: There are good numbers of ducks on all three impoundments. The south side of the impoundments — where the cattle have grazed — also have great numbers of ducks.
Rainbow unit: There's a fair number of birds north of the Rail Trail, in the phragmites treatment area.
Goose numbers are fair overall.
General information: Hunting should be good for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 19 and for the general opener on Oct. 3.
Howard Slough WMA
Water/marsh conditions: Conditions are great in the main impoundments. Water is at full pool/spilling levels and contains excellent sago pondweed growth. Conditions outside of the north impoundment are also good, thanks to intensive cattle grazing. The area west of the south impoundment is a phragmites treatment area. The area has improved from last year, but still needs enhancement. Current dry conditions didn't allow for the proper growth that makes it possible to treat the area with herbicide. Some seasonal, small ponds on the Hooper Hot Springs Unit are low and/or dry.
Access: The access road will be graded. Gates will be opened on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Bird numbers: There are great bird numbers in the main impoundments. The grazed area also has a lot of birds. Generally, duck numbers have been holding well, and goose and swan numbers have been fair the last few years.
General information: Howard Slough WMA has had some of the best WMA Youth Waterfowl Hunt success in the region over the last few years, and it should be great again this year. It should also hunt well throughout the season. For its size, it holds up very well under extremely heavy hunting pressure, and tundra swan hunting is expected to be good later this fall.
Locomotive Springs WMA
Water/marsh conditions: The water levels are very low, and impoundments are dry.
Access: Roads are a little rough. The gates will open Sept. 17.
Bird use: Bird numbers are extremely low. Mallards, pintails and green-winged teal are the primary birds. There are very few Canada geese.
General information:
Locomotive Springs WMA is in the Northern goose area. Dark goose hunting is allowed from Oct. 3–10 and from Oct. 26–Jan. 31, 2027.
Camping is allowed in established parking areas, but there are no facilities available.
Fires are the responsibility of the camper. Please be aware of state fire restrictions and follow those rules accordingly. If you lose control of it, you pay for it.
Ogden Bay WMA
Water/marsh and impoundment conditions:
Unit 1: Pondweed growth is great on the main impoundment and excellent in the secondary impoundments. Over 1,000 acres of phragmites on the east side of the open water have been successfully grazed. The cattle were playing catch up after last year to open up the area and did a much better job this year. The area west of Unit 1 was grazed, and it is now very accessible. The northeast impoundment is currently under construction, and it should be finished by the general opener. Managers will start filling the area after construction is complete. The reconstructed dike is 0.7 mile in length and will impound 180 acres of wetlands. The area has been dominated by phragmites, and managers will now have the ability to control both the water and the phragmites. This area could be dry until Oct. 10, 2026, while construction is happening.
Unit 2: Cattle were used this past summer to remove phragmites and make this area accessible, and they did an excellent job! The Unit 2 dike is currently being reconstructed. The dike is approximately 3.2 miles long and will impound approximately 600 acres of water. This area is currently dry and will likely be dry until Oct. 10.
Unit 3: Pondweed growth is excellent this year. Cattle have grazed the east side of the open water. Be advised that the rest area is in place on Unit 3. The rest area is clearly posted, and trespassing is prohibited. The rest area consists of the two small impoundments that are on the south side of the road as you head to the Unit 3 boat launch. The area west of Unit 3 — and inside of Unit 3 — was sprayed in the fall of 2025, burned in the spring of 2026 and then treated again this fall.
Weber Delta: South Weber Delta was much drier this summer than last year and is in good condition. There is some water in the river impoundment and in most ponds at the north entrance. Sago pondweed growth was great in this area.
Pintail: The area has been sprayed the past couple of years and was heavily grazed this year. There isn't much cover in this area, but there should be great bird use.
Generally, all major impoundments are full and overflowing onto the westward flats. Marsh conditions are good to excellent in most areas. The current Great Salt Lake elevation is 4189.8 feet, lower than last year at this time.
Access: All outer gates to the lower parking lots and boat launches will be open on Thursday, Sept. 17. There is good vehicle access, with most roadways and parking lots mowed and in good shape. Most access roads will be graded by the general opener.
The Unit 1 boat channel into the main impoundments is clear and usable. The Unit 3 boat channel will be clear and usable.
Bird numbers: Duck production was excellent once again this year. Thousands of ducks were produced at Ogden Bay, Howard Slough and Harold Crane WMAs.
Unit 1: There are good bird numbers in the main impoundments. Great numbers of birds are starting to build in the larger interior flats, which were reopened by grazing and are now flooded. There are also good numbers of ducks starting to use the secondary ponds.
Unit 2: Bird numbers are increasing with additional water in the area. The farther-west flats and far north-end ponds are expected, like last year, to gain a large number of birds when these areas totally refill and interior hunting forces them out there.
Unit 3: There are good bird numbers in the main impoundment. The west flats are nearly overgrown with phragmites, but they were all sprayed by helicopter this fall. The area is flooded, but there isn't much area available for bird use. The east flats have good numbers of birds.
Weber Delta: There are fair numbers of birds on the North Weber Delta and on the South Weber Delta, but the numbers will increase as these areas refill.
Pintail: Bird numbers are fair and should increase as the season progresses. Access is limited due to low water conditions.
Generally, birds are concentrated on the larger impoundments or ponds — and on the flats — in Units 1 and 3. Remote ponds and flats (far to the west of the impoundments) will hold increasing numbers of birds as they are displaced from easily accessible areas. Some of this displacement will happen during hunters' pre-hunt scouting activities and during the Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 19.
General information: The Youth Waterfowl Hunt should be good in the main impoundments and adjacent flats. The general opener should also be good. Hunting should be decent as the season progresses, and new birds will arrive after all the pre-hunt scouting and weekend pressure subsides. In general, hunters will find the best hunting in the better habitat and bird-concentration areas detailed above. Duck production was incredible nearly everywhere, and there are going to be a lot more young and inexperienced birds flying around this year.
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
The Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Please see the following resources for more information:
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge website
Hunting and other activities at the Refuge
Ouray NWR hunting brochure and map
National Wildlife Refuge general hunting laws
General Refuge rules and policies
Contact the Refuge or call 435-545-2522
Public Shooting Grounds WMA
Water/marsh conditions: Water conditions are excellent this year.
Avocet Pond is the only pond that went temporarily dry this summer, but it is full as of Sept. 9.
Wetlands south of Hull Lake and Wigeon Lake were dry most of the summer but are being flooded now and will have plenty of water for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Sept. 19.
As of Sept. 9, all ponds and lakes on Public Shooting Grounds are full and spilling into the adjacent marshes.
Pondweed production on the south side of the WMA (south of state Route 83) is good to excellent. Pondweed production on the north side (north of state Route 83) is fair to good.
Access: The gates will open on the afternoon of Sept. 17. All roads and parking lots have been (or will be) mowed and graded before the general opener. Speed bumps have been installed on the main road, and a speed limit of 15 mph is now in place near the blinds designated for physically challenged hunters. Please be careful and slow down.
Bird numbers: As of Sept. 9, bird numbers are increasing daily. They should continue to build as we approach the Youth Waterfowl Hunt and general opener. Mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, wigeons, gadwalls, cinnamon teal and some redheads are present now. There are also good numbers of Canada geese on the WMA right now.
General information:
Public Shooting Grounds WMA is in the Northern goose area. Dark goose hunting is allowed from Oct. 3-10 and from Oct. 26-Jan. 31, 2027.
Camping is allowed in established parking areas, but no facilities are available.
Fires are allowed in fire pits only and are the responsibility of the camper. Please be aware of state fire restrictions and follow those rules accordingly. If you lose control of it, you pay for it.
Please respect posted signs and regulations, along with the regulations in the current Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook.
Blinds for physically challenged hunters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must possess a DMV-issued physically challenged sticker or license plate to use these blinds.
Wigeon Lake is a nonmotorized-boats-only lake.
North Public Shooting Grounds (north of state Route 83) is still closed to tundra swan hunting.
Remember: The harvest of trumpeter swans is illegal; see the Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for more information about swan regulations.
Salt Creek WMA
Water/marsh conditions: All of Salt Creek WMA held water throughout the summer, except for Stilt Pond, which is located in the northwest corner of the WMA. The units on the east side of Salt Creek — including Gadwall, Canvasback, Redhead, Mallard Teal and Goose — were full all summer and produced excellent pondweed. Both Ibis and Snipe ponds held water all summer; however, pondweed production was poor due to excessive carp numbers. The main bay of Salt Creek produced excellent pondweed. As of Sept. 9, all impoundments are full, and all marshes outside of the impoundments are flooded.
Waterfowl use: As of Sept. 9, bird numbers are good and increasing daily. Hunters should see mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, gadwalls, cinnamon teal and wigeon at Salt Creek. There are also good numbers of Canada geese on the WMA right now.
Access: The gates will open the afternoon of Sept. 17. All roads and parking lots have been (or will be) mowed and graded before the general opener. Please be careful and slow down on WMA roads.
General information:
Salt Creek WMA is in the Northern goose area. Dark goose hunting is allowed from Oct. 3-10 and from Oct. 26-Jan. 31, 2027.
Camping is allowed in established parking areas, but there are no facilities available.
Fires are allowed in fire pits only and are the responsibility of the camper. Please be aware of state fire restrictions and follow those rules accordingly. If you lose control of it, you pay for it.
Please respect posted signs and regulations along with regulations in the Utah Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook.
Salt Creek WMA is closed to tundra swan hunting.
Blinds for physically challenged hunters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must possess a DMV-issued physically challenged sticker or license plate to use these blinds.
Willard Spur WMA
Water/marsh conditions: Water levels at the Willard Spur WMA are low this year, and the amount of available wetland habitat continues to shrink. Water is being held back at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to assist in killing carp. Bear River Bay WMA is also lacking water, although good habitat and bird concentrations remain around the Bear River Delta and other areas where water persists.
Additional water releases are expected and may improve conditions before the hunts, but hunters should anticipate extensive areas of shallow water, exposed mud and dry ground.
Invasive species management: Efforts to control invasive phragmites continued this fall across the WMA. Crews treated 2,000 new acres by air in the C-block area. These efforts are part of an ongoing, multiyear strategy to reduce phragmites and restore wetlands to native and desirable plant communities. Additional work will continue through the winter and spring to build on these gains and improve habitat quality for both wildlife and hunters.
Bird numbers: Despite the limited water, there are a lot of ducks in the area. Good concentrations are currently using the remaining wet habitat, particularly around the edges of the WMA, near the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Harold Crane WMA, as well as the Bear River Delta. Birds are also using back ponds, shallow-water areas and other pockets along the edges.
While bird numbers are encouraging, many of these concentrations are currently difficult to access. Conditions and bird distribution may change as additional water arrives and hunting pressure moves birds around.
Access: Access is expected to be challenging this year. Currently, mud boats cannot access many portions of the WMA, although upcoming water releases may improve conditions before the hunts. Hunters should scout before opening day and launch at their own risk.
Use particular caution around exposed mud, shallow water and sand bars, where boats can become easily stuck. The south launches are especially shallow and may be hazardous or difficult to use. There is also a large exposed sandbar/high spot in the central portion of the spur, with water around it. Boaters should navigate around this area rather than trying to cross it.
Mud boaters are strongly encouraged to scout conditions beforehand, as areas that have been navigable in previous years may not be accessible this season.
General information:
There are good numbers of ducks using Willard Spur and surrounding wetlands, but access to many concentrations is currently difficult.
Water releases may improve boating and habitat conditions before the hunts, but hunters should not assume that traditionally accessible areas will be navigable.
Expect shallow water, exposed mud and sandbars throughout the WMA.
Scout access and hunting locations before opening day whenever possible, particularly if using a mudboat.
Conditions can change quickly with water deliveries, weather and hunting pressure, so hunters should use caution and be prepared to adjust their plans.
The WMA shares a boundary with the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Portions of the refuge adjacent to the WMA are closed to hunting and travel. Please watch for posted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service boundary signs and make sure you are in an area open to hunting.
Maps
Tap or click the following areas for maps:
Waterfowl Management Areas
Swan hunting boundary
Maps
National wildlife refuges
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
If you have questions about waterfowl hunt opener conditions or Waterfowl Management Areas in northern Utah, contact the DWR Northern Region office at 801-476-2740 or Salt Lake office at 801-538-4700.
Last updated: Sept. 15, 2026 at 10:27 a.m.
