Last week in review:
October 19 — October 25, 2026
Weather
Last week's weather remained stagnant, with daytime high temperatures still above normal for this time of year. Clear, sunny skies and light winds persisted throughout the week. Average daytime temperatures were in the upper 60s, with nighttime lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Sunday's high reached 70 degrees, largely because southerly winds brought warm air from the Gulf of America.
Waterfowl Abundance
Despite the stable weather conditions, waterfowl numbers increased slightly across the area. Refuge counts reached 23,370 birds, with mallards leading at approximately 9,000, followed by northern pintails at 8,500, wigeon at 3,000 and gadwall at 1,100. Wood duck numbers declined to 250 birds, and refuge counts included 1,600 Canada geese.
Hunting Conditions
Wahl Road Marsh (Zones 67-76): The unit is slightly below full pool, and staff will pump additional water into Wahl Marsh this week. Duck hunters using mud motors and surface drives have reopened access channels, improving navigation to open-water areas.
Rookery Unit (Zones 137-150): The Rookery is at full pool. The flooded woods pullover was rebuilt in September, and the unit consists primarily of cattail marsh.
Flooded Woods (Zones 77-117): The Flooded Woods remain below full pool. DNR staff are no longer setting flood-control structures high enough for water to intentionally flow over the spillway. Because the spillway is designated as an emergency spillway, some areas may be shallower than in previous years. Dry conditions and low water levels on the Shiawassee River have also contributed to lower water levels, though staff have raised the tilting weir gate to help increase water depth.
Federal Marsh Unit (Zones 23-28): This cattail marsh is at full pool, with dense cattails throughout much of the unit.
Zone 29: Zone 29 will remain dry this year as part of a drawdown plan to prepare for earthwork next growing season.
River Zones (15-22): Water levels are extremely low, exposing extensive mudflats. Zone 19 cannot be navigated by motorboat and is extremely dry. Hunters should use caution throughout the river system, as short-shaft outboards risk prop damage and some boats may need to be waded across sandbars on the Bad River near the Radial Arm gates.
Triangle Marsh (Zones 49-50): Triangle Marsh is at full pool. Summer management included mowing cattails previously treated with herbicide, followed by disking to break down vegetation and encourage moist-soil plant growth. Hunters have reported success in the newly opened areas.
Cropped and Moist-Soil Units
Zones 1-4: Approximately 18 inches of water cover these zones, allowing hunters to float boats into the area. Corn stands about 7 feet tall after a strong growing season. Filter strips were mowed before flooding, and surrounding soybean fields were harvested beforehand.
Zones 9-14: Corn stands 6 to 7 feet tall, with some wildlife browsing at the north and south ends. Soybeans have been harvested, filter strips were mowed before flooding and water depth measures 15.6 inches at the staff gauge in the southeast corner of Zone 14, the deepest point in the field. Hunters should be able to motor through ditches and float into the zones.
Zones 6-8: Corn strips with moist-soil habitat benefited from drain tile installed before planting. Corn has never looked better, reaching 7 to 7.5 feet tall. The two former blinds were removed because of excellent corn growth, and water depth currently measures about 12 inches.
North Prior (Zones 55-66): Corn strips are complemented by millet, buckwheat, barley and milo plantings. Corn stands 6 to 7 feet tall. Filter strips were not mowed this year. Water depth is currently 13.2 inches, with staff planning to increase it to about 16 inches.
South Prior (Zones 61-66): Corn suffered heavy wildlife browsing, especially in Zone 62 from sandhill cranes. Corn stands 6 to 6.5 feet tall, with taller growth farther into the field. Two blinds have been added in Zone 62 to compensate for reduced cover. Water depth is about 13.2 inches, with additional water planned to reach approximately 16 inches.
30s (Zones 30-38): Corn strips grew well, reaching 7 to 7.5 feet tall. Surrounding soybean fields have been harvested, and filter strips were mowed once this summer to reduce reed canary grass and encourage moist-soil plants. Water depth is currently about 24 inches, and all zones now contain water.
40s (Zones 39-46): Corn stands 7 to 7.5 feet tall alongside excellent moist-soil growth. Filter strips were mowed twice this season to reduce reed canary grass and promote native vegetation. Water depth measures about 12 inches in the north end of Zone 39, while Zones 42, 44, 45 and 46 will have deeper water because of field topography.
Hunter Numbers
The average morning draw included 25 parties. The smallest morning draw was 17 parties, and the largest reached 47 parties. Afternoon draws averaged about 20 parties, ranging from seven to 30 parties. Fewer than four leftover permits were issued after each draw.
Waterfowl Harvest
Season totals stand at 372 geese, 2,028 ducks and 1,503 hunter trips, for an average of 1.62 birds per hunter. Mallards continue to make up most of the harvest.
What to Expect This Week
Staff will continue monitoring water levels and adding water as needed to maintain target depths while warm weather and dry conditions increase soil absorption and evaporation. Another week of above-normal temperatures is expected, with some cloud cover and highs in the low 70s Wednesday and Thursday before cooling into the low 60s by the weekend.
Upcoming Events
- Nov. 7, PM: Nonreserved youth preference draw, followed by a regular draw for all other hunters
- Nov. 11: Nonreserved veterans and active military preference draw, followed by a regular draw for all other hunters
- Dec. 13: Last day of the regular south zone season
- Dec. 26-27: Two-day South Zone split season
- Oct. 31: Youth Pheasant Hunt with Pheasants Forever and the Saginaw County Conservation District (registration is full)
Other Comments
Morning draw time has moved from 5 to 5:30 a.m. this year. The check station opens at 5 a.m., morning draws begin at 5:30 a.m. and afternoon draws remain at 11 a.m. Registration opens 30 minutes before each draw. The check station conducts draws twice daily, seven days a week, and closes at 1 p.m. No leftover permits are issued after 1 p.m.
Deer hunting on the Shiawassee River State Game Area requires an access permit obtained through the online drawing held earlier this summer.
Trapping permits are now available through the check station when waterfowl draws are not taking place.
Hunters do not need a permit to hunt small game, fall turkey, pheasant or coyote in the designated "A" unit areas shown on the map. Contact the office for additional information.