General Waterfowl Hunting Rules

Waterfowl Hunting Closures

In Grand Traverse County, Boardman Lake and those waters of the Boardman River lying north of Airport Road and south of the 8th Street Bridge are closed to waterfowl hunting.

In Roscommon County, Mud Lake, Lake St. Helen and the South Branch of the Au Sable River connecting these two lakes are closed to public waterfowl hunting.

There are also other closed areas in the state. Each is posted to alert hunters that they are off-limits to hunting.

Float Hunting

Hunting and trapping are exclusive rights of landowners bordering the waterway and their invited guests. Float hunters need permission to enter lands protected by the Recreational Trespass Act. You may float hunt public lands open to hunting.

Non-Toxic Shot Rules

Use of non-toxic shot is required statewide for all waterfowl hunting. When you hunt to take ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, rails or snipe anywhere in the state of Michigan, you may not possess or use shotshells loaded with a material other than non-toxic steel, bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten matix or other shot determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to be non-toxic. Waterfowl hunters using muzzleloaders must also use USFWS-approved non-toxic shot. Shells loaded with lead shot may be used to hunt other small game species, including woodcock. NOTE: Check area rules for non-toxic shot regulations for non-waterfowl hunting on managed waterfowl areas.

Safety Zones Around Buildings

No person may hunt or discharge a firearm within 450 feet of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence or cabin, or any barn or other building used in connection with a farm operation, without obtaining the written permission of the owner, renter or occupant of the property.

Marine Safety Laws

All marine safety laws must be observed while using a boat to hunt waterfowl. Please also practice those common-sense safety habits which could save your life in an emergency.