Rhode Island Waterfowl Season 2025-26
Rhode Island waterfowl season dates start with Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Rhode Island's listed 2025-26 waterfowl season runs Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026.
Regular Season Ducks opens Oct 10, 2025 and closes Jan 25, 2026.
Regular Season Mergansers opens Oct 10, 2025 and closes Jan 25, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Rhode Island DEM.
Waterfowl
14 listed rowsBrant
Regular Season
Season remains 30 days; bag limit remains 1
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Early Season
Shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset for September season only
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Regular Season
Dates: November 22-30 and December 6-January 25, 2026; Special permits required for South Shore Management Area; field reservations required
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Late Season
Limited to specific counties as described in RIHR 9.11(B)(3)(d)
Zone: Providence, Bristol, Kent counties and portions of Washington County
Coots
Regular Season
Same season dates as ducks
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Regular Season
Dates: Oct 10-13, Nov 26-30, Dec 6-Jan 25, 2026. Mallard 4 (2 hens), Black Duck 2, Canvasback 2, Pintail 3, Redhead 2, Wood Duck 3, Scaup see restrictions, Sea Ducks see restrictions, Other 6
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots
Youth Waterfowl
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years or older. May take ducks, sea ducks, geese, and brant.
Zone: Statewide
Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots - Youth
Youth Waterfowl
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by licensed adult 21 years of age or older
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Regular Season
Same season dates as ducks
Zone: Statewide
Scaup
Regular Season
Dates: Oct 10-13, Nov 26-30, Dec 6-Jan 5, 2026; Jan 6-25 bag limit increases to 2
Zone: Statewide
Scaup
Late Season
Zone: Statewide
Sea Ducks
Regular Season
No more than 3 Scoter, 3 Eider (1 hen), or 3 Long-tailed Ducks; no longer a special sea duck season
Zone: Statewide
Snow Goose (including Blue Goose)
Regular Season
No possession limit
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl (Youth)
Youth Waterfowl
Open to youth hunters age 12-17 accompanied by licensed adult 21 years or older; may take ducks, sea ducks, geese, and brant
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Rhode Island Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Rhode Island?
September 1, 2025 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Rhode Island — early season canada goose runs Sep 1-30, 2025. Confirm zone and permit details with Rhode Island DEM.
What are the 2025-26 waterfowl season dates in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island lists 14 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season Brant (Dec 27, 2025-Jan 25, 2026); Early Season Canada Goose (Sep 1-30, 2025); Regular Season Canada Goose (Nov 22, 2025-Jan 25, 2026); Late Season Canada Goose (Jan 31-Feb 14, 2026); Regular Season Coots (Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026); Regular Season Ducks (Oct 10, 2025-Jan 25, 2026); Youth Waterfowl Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots (Oct 25-26, 2025); Youth Waterfowl Ducks, Sea Ducks, Mergansers, Coots - Youth (Oct 25-26, 2025); and more. Always verify against Rhode Island DEM before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Rhode Island?
Yes — Rhode Island lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season Brant, Early Season Canada Goose, Regular Season Canada Goose, Late Season Canada Goose, Regular Season Coots, Regular Season Ducks. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Rhode Island DEM.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Rhode Island DEM.