California Waterfowl Season 2026-27
California waterfowl season dates start with Oct 3-Dec 19, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
California's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Oct 3-Dec 19, 2026.
Regular Season Canada Geese opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Jan 10, 2027.
Regular Season Canada Geese opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Jan 10, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to California CDFW.
Waterfowl
39 listed rowsAll Canada Geese
Regular Season
Two splits: Oct 3 - Dec 19 & Feb 12 - Mar 10. 2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: North Coast Special Management Area
Canada Geese
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area
Canada Geese
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Northeastern Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Northeastern Zone
Scaup
Regular Season
Two splits: Oct 3 - Nov 29 & Dec 17 - Jan 13. 2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Northeastern Zone
White and White-fronted Geese
Regular Season
Two splits: Oct 3 - Nov 29 & Jan 1 - Jan 13. 2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Northeastern Zone
White and White-fronted Geese
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Klamath Basin Special Management Area
Ducks
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Colorado River Zone
Geese
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Colorado River Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Southern California Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Balance of State Zone
Ducks
Regular Season
2026-2027 regulations.
Zone: Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| All Canada GeeseLate Season · North Coast Special Management Area2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| All SpeciesRegular Season · Morro Bay Special Management AreaOpen in designated areas only. 2026-2027 regulations. | dates not listed | Closed |
| All SpeciesRegular Season · Humboldt Bay South Spit (West Side) Special Management AreaClosed during brant season. 2026-2027 regulations. | dates not listed | Closed |
| All SpeciesRegular Season · Martis Creek Lake Special Management AreaClosed until Nov 16. 2026-2027 regulations. | Closed | |
| Black BrantRegular Season · Northern Brant Special Management Area2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Black BrantRegular Season · Balance of State Brant Special Management Area2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseLate Season · Balance of State Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Coots & MoorhensRegular Season · StatewideConcurrent with duck season. 2026-2027 regulations. | dates not listed | Closed |
| Ducks onlyVeterans and Active Military · Northeastern ZoneVeterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks onlyVeterans and Active Military · Balance of State ZoneVeterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| GeeseRegular Season · Southern California Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| GeeseRegular Season · Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonYouth Hunt · Northeastern ZoneYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Closed | |
| Same as regular seasonVeterans and Active Military · Southern California ZoneVeterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonVeterans and Active Military · Southern San Joaquin Valley ZoneVeterans and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonYouth Hunt · Colorado River ZoneYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonYouth Hunt · Southern California ZoneYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonYouth Hunt · Southern San Joaquin Valley ZoneYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Same as regular seasonYouth Hunt · Balance of State ZoneYouth Waterfowl Hunting Days. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| ScaupRegular Season · Southern California Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| ScaupRegular Season · Balance of State Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| ScaupRegular Season · Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| ScaupRegular Season · Colorado River Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| White and White-fronted GeeseLate Season · Northeastern Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| White GeeseRegular Season · Imperial County Special Management AreaMultiple segments: Nov 4 - Jan 31, Feb 1-5, Feb 8-12, Feb 16-21. 2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted GeeseRegular Season · Sacramento Valley Special Management AreaOpen concurrently with general goose season through Dec 21. 2026-2027 regulations. | through Dec 21, 2026 | Closed |
| Whitefronts and White GeeseLate Season · Balance of State Zone2026-2027 regulations. | Upcoming |
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
California Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in California?
September 19, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in California — youth hunt same as regular season runs Sep 19-20, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with California CDFW.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in California?
California lists 35 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season All Canada Geese (Oct 3-Dec 19, 2026); Late Season All Canada Geese (Feb 12-Mar 10, 2027); Regular Season All Species (opens Nov 16, 2026); Regular Season Black Brant (Nov 29-Dec 14, 2026); Regular Season Black Brant (Nov 30-Dec 15, 2026); Regular Season Canada Geese (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); Regular Season Canada Geese (Oct 3, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); Late Season Canada Geese (Feb 20-21, 2027); and more. Always verify against California CDFW before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in California?
Yes — California lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season All Canada Geese, Late Season All Canada Geese, Regular Season All Species, Regular Season Black Brant, Regular Season Canada Geese, Late Season Canada Geese. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and California CDFW.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in California?
Yes. California generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with California CDFW.