A Comprehensive Resource to Duck Hunting in Iowa

Where to duck hunt in Iowa

Where is the best duck hunting in Iowa

What to expect when duck hunting in Iowa

What do I need to duck hunt in Iowa

When is duck season in Iowa

All duck hunting locations in Iowa

Iowa’s location in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway provides a temporary home for migrating ducks each year. The Mississippi and Missouri River systems make up the majority of the waterfowl habitat, so the largest concentrations of ducks tend to be along the eastern and western edges of the state. Many hunters across North America overlook Iowa and the opportunity it presents for duck hunting, but it may just be the best hidden secret in the flyway.

Where to duck hunt in Iowa

If you are looking to duck hunt in Iowa, there is no shortage of areas to try out. With over 250 locations across more than 50 counties, there is an abundance of Wildlife Managed Areas (WMAs) for waterfowl hunters to go to. These areas include lakes, wetlands, and rivers that are accessible and managed exclusively for hunting. Among these locations, some are managed more intensively than others, which typically means they will attract more ducks, as well as hunters, throughout the fall migration.

For a comprehensive list of areas to duck hunt in Iowa, click here, or see the bottom of the page.


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Where is the best duck hunting in Iowa

Odessa Wildlife Area

Map of Odessa Wildlife Area

Odessa Wildlife Area duck hunting map
Odessa Wildlife Area map for duck hunting – the yellow lines indicates the area boundary line. Hunters are able to hunt within the yellow line. Lines are approximate.

Odessa Wildlife Area (Lake Odessa) is a hot spot for duck hunting along the Mississippi River in southeastern Iowa. With over 4,000 acres to hunt, this area can hold a significant amount of ducks during the fall migration. The proximity of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge also adds to the amount of habitat ducks are able to take advantage of during their trip south for the winter.

This area is located in Iowa’s southern zone for waterfowl, which makes it a great place to hunt later in the season when areas in the northern part of the state are closed. Hunters will need a boat to access most of the area for duck hunting, as it is too deep to wade in many areas. Hunter pressure can become intense throughout the season, so be prepared to hunt pressured ducks and compete with other parties of hunters from time to time.

The map above does not represent exact boundary lines for this area. Be sure to scout out where exact boundary lines are at, and always obey posted property.

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Riverton Wildlife Area

Map of Riverton Wildlife Area – northern section

Riverton Wildlife Area duck hunting map of the northern section
Riverton Wildlife Area duck hunting map of the northern section. Yellow lines indicate area boundaries. Red lines indicate refuge boundaries. Line are approximate.

Riverton Wildlife Area is another stellar location to duck hunt in Iowa. Its location in Fremont County, which is in the far southwest corner of the state, makes it a popular location for ducks traveling down the Missouri River system. This area is intensively managed with many water control structures and pumps, so even in a draught the area will have water to hunt.

Riverton Wildlife Area – southern section

Riverton Wildlife Area duck hunting map of the southern section
Riverton Wildlife Area duck hunting map of the southern section. Yellow lines indicate area boundaries. Red lines indicate refuge boundaries. Lines are approximate.

Since the area is known for holding a significant amount of birds during the fall migration, hunters should expect to compete with other parties and face the challenges of hunting pressured ducks at Riverton, especially on the weekends. This place can be phenomenal late in the season because it provides migrating ducks with high quality vegetation that is planted and managed each year. The area also has two refuges that ducks use throughout the season, so be sure to check boundary lines while out hunting.

Hawkeye Wildlife Area

Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County is a notable duck hunting location along the eastern side of Iowa. Hunters have the choice of hunting the flooded marsh for puddle ducks, or testing their luck and going after divers on bigger water at this location. Since the area is large, hunters are able to create distance between themselves and other parties if they choose, which typically leads to higher success rates.

Hawkeye Wildlife Area also has a refuge located at the eastern border, so be sure to watch your boundary lines and use caution when hunting near it. Most hunters use a boat to access the area, which allows them to get to places where other hunters are not at. If you are interested in having the chance to harvest a variety of species at one location, Hawkeye Wildlife Area should be at the top of your list.

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Big Marsh Wildlife Area

Big Marsh Wildlife Area, located in the northeastern part of the state, is an exceptional spot for duck hunters. Although it is not located along a major river system, migrating ducks seem to find it each fall. Its size, being over 7,000 acres, provides hunters the ability to spread out, although that is not always the case. Like all public duck hunting areas, hunters tend to go where the ducks are, which can create intense competition and cause the ducks to act more pressured.

Many ducks utilize the refuges on this area, which keeps them around for the majority of the season until it freezes up. Most waterfowl on the area tend to be puddle ducks, but a few divers are common.

What to expect when duck hunting in Iowa

Types of ducks in Iowa

The type of ducks in Iowa are no different than the type of ducks typically found across the Mississippi flyway. Mallards, teal, and gadwall are the most common type of puddle ducks; while redheads, scaup, and canvasbacks are the most common type of divers through the state.

The Mississippi River in Iowa, especially the northern portion, gives duck hunters a great chance at harvesting canvasbacks, as they are generally prevalent in that location.

Best time of year to duck hunt in Iowa

Determining the best time to duck hunt in Iowa can depend on many factors such as weather, hunter pressure, and how the migration has progressed throughout the fall. In most years, peak numbers of ducks in Iowa appear throughout the month of November. During this time, states further north in the flyway are covered in snow and ice, while Iowa still has more moderate temperatures. This allows ducks to utilize the habitat Iowa has to offer, which brings more hunter success.

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What do I need to duck hunt in Iowa

Like most states, waterfowl hunters need to purchase several licenses and pay fees to be able to hunt in Iowa. Non-resident licenses tend to be more expensive, but are still affordable if you are planning to spend part of your season there. Please see the lists below for what hunters must purchase before duck hunting in Iowa.

Residents

  • Hunting license
  • Habitat fee/license
  • Iowa migratory bird fee/license
  • Federal duck stamp

Non-residents

  • Hunting license
  • Habitat fee/license
  • Iowa migratory bird fee/license
  • Federal duck stamp

The licenses and fees hunters must pay each season to hunt waterfowl in Iowa are subject to change. Be sure to do your research and always stay up to date on laws and regulations.

When is duck season in Iowa

The state of Iowa is divided into three zones (north, central, and south) when it comes to determining the start and end dates of the season. The zone boundaries as well as season dates change from year to year, so be sure to stay up to date by visiting Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ website.

All duck hunting locations in Iowa

Area nameCounty
Lake IcariaAdams
Fish Farm MoundsAllamakee
Pool SloughAllamakee
Waukon JunctionAllamakee
RathbunAppanoose
Sedan BottomsAppanoose
Butterfield IslandBenton
Dudgeon LakeBenton
Iowa River CorridorBenton
Red FoxBenton
Harrier MarshBoone
SaylorvilleBoone
Aldo LeopoldBremer
HeffernanBremer
Sweet MarshBremer
Walnut BendBremer
CutshawBuchanan
Troy MillsBuchanan
Leo GrauBuena Vista
Little Storm LakeBuena Vista
Pheasant HillsBuena Vista
Pickerel LakeBuena Vista
Big MarshButler
Lower West ForkButler
North ButlerButler
West Fork PrairieButler
South Twin LakeCalhoun
Artesian LakeCarroll
Rock Creek IslandCedar
Bailey CreekCerro Gordo
BeaverdamCerro Gordo
Lekwa MarshCerro Gordo
McIntoshCerro Gordo
Sandpiper HillsCerro Gordo
Teal BasinsCerro Gordo
Union HillsCerro Gordo
Ventura MarshCerro Gordo
Wild Goose MarshCerro Gordo
Upper WapsiChickasaw
Wapsi FlatsChickasaw
West LakeClarke
Barringer SloughClay
Dan Green SloughClay
Dewey’s PastureClay
Dry Mud LakeClay
DU MarshClay
Elk Lake ComplexClay
Hawk ValleyClay
High BridgeClay
Little SiouxClay
OcheyedanClay
ReiterClay
Barber CreekClinton
Goose LakeClinton
SyracuseClinton
WapsiClinton
SaylorvilleDallas
Little RiverDecatur
Buffalo CreekDelaware
Blackhawk BottomsDes Moines
Huron FlatsDes Moines
Cayler Prairie ComplexDickinson
Center Lake ComplexDickinson
Christopherson Slough ComplexDickinson
Cory MarshDickinson
Diamond LakeDickinson
Dugout CreekDickinson
Garlock SloughDickinson
Hales SloughDickinson
Jemmerson Slough ComplexDickinson
Kettleson Hogsback SloughDickinson
Lower Gar LakeDickinson
McClelland BeachDickinson
Minnewashta LakeDickinson
Northern Tallgrass PrairieDickinson
Silver LakeDickinson
Spring RunDickinson
Trickle SloughDickinson
Welch LakeDickinson
West Okoboji WetlandsDickinson
Yager SloughDickinson
Burr Oak LakeEmmet
Cheever LakeEmmet
Eagle LakeEmmet
East Swan LakeEmmet
Four Mile LakeEmmet
Ingham High Wetland ComplexEmmet
Iowa LakeEmmet
Iowa Lake MarshEmmet
Tuttle Lake Wetland ComplexEmmet
Twelve Mile LakeEmmet
West Swan LakeEmmet
Volga River AreaFayette
Restoration MarshFloyd
Beeds LakeFranklin
Buffalo BasinsFranklin
Coulter MarshFranklin
West ForkFranklin
Whitetail FlatsFranklin
Auldon BarFremont
Bartlett Fremont
Botna BottomsFremont
Cooper CreekFremont
Copeland BendFremont
Draper BottomsFremont
Forney LakeFremont
McPaulFremont
M U PayneFremont
PercivalFremont
RivertonFremont
ScottFremont
Waubonsie AccessFremont
Dunbar SloughGreene
Finn PondGreene
Goose LakeGreene
Snake Creek MarshGreene
Bays BranchGuthrie
Lakin SloughGuthrie
McCord PondGuthrie
Gordon’s MarshHamilton
Little Wall LakeHamilton
Crystal HillsHancock
Crystal LakeHancock
Eagle FlatsHancock
Eagle Lake WetlandHancock
East Twin LakeHancock
GabrielsonHancock
Gladfelter MarshHancock
Jason SmithHancock
Lake GeorgeHancock
Meredith MarshHancock
Warren E. FoxHancock
West Twin LakeHancock
California BendHarrison
Fawn IslandHarrison
MissouridaleHarrison
Nobles LakeHarrison
Rand BarHarrison
Round LakeHarrison
St. John’sHarrison
Soldier BendHarrison
Three RiversHarrison
Tyson BendHarrison
ElmaHoward
BradgateHumboldt
East Fork AccessHumboldt
Ottosen PotholesHumboldt
Willows AccessHumboldt
Cottonwood BanksIowa
Fish PondsIowa
Iowa River CorridorIowa
Green IslandJackson
ColfaxJasper
Rock CreekJasper
HawkeyeJohnson
Swan LakeJohnson
Muskrat SloughJones
Oxford JunctionJones
Hayesville BendKeokuk
Burt LakeKossuth
East Fork Des Moines RiverKossuth
Goose LakeKossuth
Iowa Lake MarshKossuth
Stateline MarshKossuth
BertramLinn
Chain-O-LakesLinn
Pleasant CreekLinn
Wood Duck BottomsLinn
Cone MarshLouisa
Klum LakeLouisa
Millrace FlatsLouisa
OdessaLouisa
Spur IslandLouisa
Wapello BottomsLouisa
ColynLucas
GoshenLucas
RathbunLucas
Badger CreekMadison
WinfordMahaska
Red RockMarion
Hendrickson MarshMarshall
Folsom LakeMills
Haynie SloughMills
Keg CreekMills
P.J.Mills
St. Mary’s IslandMills
Willow SloughMills
Badger LakeMonona
Blackbird BendMonona
Blue LakeMonona
Ivy IslandMonona
Louisville BendMonona
Lower Blencoe BendMonona
Monona BendMonona
Tieville BendMonona
Upper Blencoe BendMonona
Upper Decatur BendMonona
Upper Monona BendMonona
Winnebago BendMonona
Cedar BottomsMuscatine
Red CedarMuscatine
Wiese SloughMuscatine
Waterman CreekO’Brien
Iowa LakeOsceola
Rush LakeOsceola
Blue Wing MarshPalo Alto
Dewey’s PasturePalo Alto
Fallow MarshPalo Alto
Five Island LakePalo Alto
Perkin’s MarshPalo Alto
Rush LakePalo Alto
Silver LakePalo Alto
Virgin LakePalo Alto
West ForkPalo Alto
Deer CreekPlymouth
Little Clear LakePocahontas
Lizard LakePocahontas
Shimon MarshPocohontas
Big CreekPolk
ChichaquaPolk
Paul Errington MarshPolk
Red RockPolk
SaylorvillePolk
Pigeon CreekPottawattamie
Wilson IslandPottawattamie
Fogle LakeRinggold
Black Hawk MarshSac
Burrow’s PondSac
Kiowa MarshSac
Sac City WetlandSac
Tomahawk MarshSac
Lost Grove LakeScott
PrincetonScott
Bob Pyle MarshStory
Colo BogsStory
Hendrickson MarshStory
Iowa River CorridorTama
Otter CreekTama
Oxbow BottomsTama
Spring GroveTama
Union GroveTama
Mitchell MarshUnion
Summit LakeUnion
Three Mile LakeUnion
Twelve Mile LakeUnion
DeVoss FosterVan Buren
Fox RiverVan Buren
Red RockWarren
English RiverWashington
RathbunWayne
Buffalo Center PotholesWinnebago
Good Neighbors MarshWinnebago
Harmon LakeWinnebago
Mogsback MarshWinnebago
Myre SloughWinnebago
Pilot KnobWinnebago
Rice LakeWinnebago
Wood Duck MarshWinnebago
Cardinal MarshWinneshiek
Brown’s LakeWoodbury
Glover’s PointWoodbury
LakeportWoodbury
LutonWoodbury
Omadi BendWoodbury
Snyder BendWoodbury
Table MarshWoodbury
Winnebago BendWoodbury
Elk Creek MarshWorth
Hanlontown SloughWorth
Peterson PotholesWorth
Silver LakeWorth
Winan’s CreekWorth
Big Wall LakeWright
Elm LakeWright
Lower Morse LakeWright
Morse LakeWright
OlafWright
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