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Nov. 24–30, 2025
The weather last week was more festive with a couple of days of precipitation and a lot of wind. Temperatures started off warm, near 50 degrees, and by the end of the day yesterday it was in the 20s. We started to ice up slowly overnight Friday and had a decent layer of ice across most of the area and refuge Saturday and Sunday.
The refuge count on Wednesday, Nov. 24, was estimated at approximately 19,500 ducks and 2,000 geese. Our refuge counts have been strong and remained consistent throughout the entire month. Primary species once again were big, fat mallards and black ducks, with quite a few pintails, gadwall and shovelers hanging around. There has been a decent raft of divers in the east refuge, mainly redheads, ringnecks and scaup, with a smattering of other species. Canada goose numbers increased, and we even saw a couple of nice groups of snow/blue geese mixed in with our increasing flock of tundra swans.
1–3: 4–6 ft corn on average; zone 3 had the most deer/goose damage and has spotty areas. Water levels 4–16 in.
4–8: Marsh zones with blinds. Water 6–18 in.
9–13: Corn 6–7 ft. Water 6–20 in.
14–19: Corn 6–7 ft. Water 6–20 in.
20–32: Corn 5–7 ft; most deer damage in the southern half of zone 22 and a bit on the north end of 21. Water 4–20 in.
39–44: Marsh habitat, pond 6–12 in.
45–49: Corn 6–7 ft in zones 45–48; zone 49 heavily goose/deer damaged but has a blind. Water 4–20 in.
50–56: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in.
58–63: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in.
64–69: Corn 4–6 ft. Water 4–16 in, lowest on west side of zones 64–65.
70–77: Corn 6–8 ft and dry throughout.
Zones with marginal cover: 3 (spotty), north end of 21, south end of 22, 49.
Hunter numbers last week increased to 503, which is still not great but better. Party sizes ranged from five to nine midweek to two yesterday morning. We had a total of 14 single hunters for our first December deer/pheasant drawing yesterday.
Harvest picked up last week with better weather and increased participation. A total of 503 hunters harvested 319 ducks and 16 geese for an average of 0.63 ducks per hunter trip.
Ducks: 6,725
Geese: 431
Hunter trips: 7,520
Ducks per hunter trip: 0.84
Water is slowly being drained from the area due to the frigid long-range forecast. Deer/pheasant permits for the first period begin today, Dec. 1 through Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: Second muzzleloader deer/pheasant draw at noon for Dec. 8–12. Must be present; no leftovers.
Dec. 13–14: Zone 3 waterfowl split; highly unlikely there will be a draw. Self-registration will be available.
Dec. 15–Jan. 1: Late antlerless and pheasant hunting will be self-registration.
Dec. 15–March 31: Trapping begins; must obtain a trapping permit. Call (989) 674-2511 for details.
Thanks to everyone, new and old, who came out to Fish Point and contributed to another fun, safe and very successful waterfowl season. We’re already looking forward to 2026!
Rob, Ryan, Brennan and Butch
