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Nov. 8–Nov.14, 2025
Temperatures started near normal, with the first late fall/early winter storm arriving over the weekend. Saturday was relatively calm, but conditions deteriorated throughout the day. Sunday brought gale warnings and lake-effect snow. Temperatures dropped significantly Sunday night and remained below freezing through Tuesday. Ice covered 90% of the area until Wednesday, when a warm-up thawed things out. The area is now ice-free. Winds were strong most of the week, primarily from the NNW, shifting to a southerly flow by week's end. Approximately 2 inches of snow fell on Sunday—the only precipitation of the week.
Refuge numbers dropped significantly following the freeze-up. Some mallards remained in open water in the cropped refuge, and a few mallards and Canada geese were seen in the east triangle refuge. The south marsh refuge was completely iced over. The refuge count was approximately 3,000 birds. Large rafts of birds were observed on western Saginaw Bay, likely displaced from the refuge. It is common for birds to leave the area after ice forms, often staying nearby for a few days before continuing south.
Zones 2–3: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Zone 3 water depth: 8–10 in.; zone 2 has sheet water throughout.
Zones 4–6: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Water depth: 6–10 in.; zone 4 is driest at the north end.
Zone 7: Corn cover 6–8 ft. Water depth: 12–14 in.
Zone 8: Corn cover 5–8 ft., planted in two blocks. Shortest on the north end. Water depth: 12–14 in.
Zones 10–12: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Zone 10 is driest at the north end. Water depth: 8–12 in. in zones 11–12.
Zones 13–15: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Water depth: 12–16 in.
Zones 16–18: Corn cover is very spotty in zones 16–17. Blinds available. Water depth: 8–18 in.
Zones 19–20: Corn cover averages 7 ft. Some thin spots. Water depth: 8–12 in.
Zones 21–22: Corn cover averages 6–8 ft. Some thin spots. Water depth: 4–6 in.; zone 21 is driest at the north end.
Zone 23: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Some thin spots on the south end. Water depth: 6–12 in.
Zone 24: Sparse corn cover 4–7 ft. Corn is 5 ft. at the blind; no corn south of the blind. Water depth: 8–14 in.
Zone 25: Corn cover averages 8 ft. Some thin spots. Water depth: 8–14 in.
Zone 26: Sparse corn cover 5–8 ft. Corn is 5 ft. at the blind; no corn south of the blind. Water depth: 12–14 in.
Marshes: The north marsh remains at low pool or drawn down for a planned winter burn in 2025–2026. Water has been added to the east marsh, with more to come after field flooding is complete. All marshes remain below full pool due to severe drought and declining Great Lakes water levels. The east marsh also froze, with ice thickness reaching nearly 1 inch.
Hunter numbers dropped significantly after the weekend. There were 269 hunter trips for the week. The highest draw was Sunday morning (Nov. 9) with 28 parties. The weekly average was 10 parties per draw. This represents a 21% decrease compared to the same week in 2024. From Sept. 1 to Nov. 14, Nayanquing has recorded 2,801 hunter trips.
Hunters harvested 199 ducks and 3 geese this week, averaging 28 ducks per day. Most birds were taken over the weekend. AM and PM hunts were equally productive early in the week, with PM hunts trending more successful later. This week’s harvest was 24% lower than the same week in 2024. Mallards made up 58% of the harvest, followed by green-winged teal at 22%.
Ducks: 2,909
Geese: 82
Hunter trips: 2,801
Ducks per hunter trip: 1.04
Opening weekend of firearm deer season will begin with mild weather on Saturday, with highs near 60 degrees. A cold front is expected Sunday, bringing temperatures back to near normal. Gale warnings are in effect for the weekend, with strong WNW winds and mixed precipitation forecast for Sunday. The rest of the week looks calm, with light winds mid-week. Highs will remain in the mid-40s, and nighttime lows may dip into the low 20s, likely resulting in ice formation. Some precipitation is forecast for Friday.
Most pumping operations have concluded, and water levels in all hunting fields and refuge areas are near full pool. Last week’s freeze-up pushed most birds out of the area.
A reminder: Nayanquing Point is closed to firearm deer hunting while waterfowl season is open. Muzzleloader and late antlerless opportunities are coming up. Permits can be obtained through a series of draws hosted throughout December. For more information, please stop in or call the office at (989) 697-5101.
