Migration Alert: Great Lakes Teal Preview

Early teal seasons kicked off in Michigan and Wisconsin on September 1, while Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio open on Saturday. Reports are modest so far, and while the main blue-winged teal migration hasn’t revved up yet, there are plenty of birds in the pipeline.

Minnesota

This year’s Minnesota waterfowl survey revealed a net increase in total ducks, and the blue-winged teal estimate soared to 205,650 birds, nearly tripling the 2025 estimate and exceeding the 10-year average. This will likely bode well for hunters throughout the region.

Wisconsin

Water conditions across the Great Lakes are variable, and given the number of storms that slammed the region this summer, it’s remarkable that some areas are now running well below average in terms of precipitation.

“We have had a very dry summer, so some of our property managers were able to draw down water levels, which created awesome moist-soil conditions,” says Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Game Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger. “Now we are hoping for some rain so we can put water on those moist-soil plants. All in all, conditions are fair to good.”

The Mississippi River and major tributaries are important migration corridors for migrating bluewings, and portions of the river in Wisconsin are stacked with prime teal habitat, although the main teal migration has yet to arrive.

“Water levels on the Mississippi River are lower than what people would expect, so hunters who don’t scout beforehand might find it difficult to get into their haunts,” explains WDNR Mississippi River wildlife biologist Brenda Kelly. “I was banding birds last week and did not find many teal, which suggests we have locals but no regional movements or a migratory push of birds.”

Illinois

To the south in Illinois, the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers have fallen back to relatively normal summer levels, and the first pushes of birds have been showing in recent days. “We certainly have picked up both bluewings and greenwings as well as the first few pintails on the full moon,” says Sean Herrick, a private wetland manager in Illinois. “When they showed up, we had quite a bit of water, but now water levels have dropped, and we need more water to attract bluewings and other species later on.”

Indiana

In nearby Indiana, most managed habitats are fully recharged with water. This includes on Indiana Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Areas as well as on many private lands managed for waterfowl. However, dry conditions remain in parts of the state, including on Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. “It’s a drought here, so water is not great,” explains property manager Mike Schoof. “I held back every drop I could this year. I’ve seen about a dozen teal so far, and the habitat looks great. We just need rain.”

Michigan

Much like in Minnesota, Michigan had a net increase in breeding ducks this year, largely due to timely precipitation in key areas. This not only benefited nesting ducks but also bodes well for migrating teal passing through the state. “We’ve had better teal numbers than in the last few years, but they’re not moving around a whole lot,” says John Darling, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician based at Harsens Island at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. “Conditions in the marsh units are good overall, and if the hot weather breaks and we get some cooler days and nights, I’m optimistic we’ll have a few good hunts before teal season ends.”

Just to the south, on Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, wildlife biologist supervisor Joe Robison reports low teal numbers, but some hunters reported success on the opener. “We have lots of water, with impoundments drawn down and some mudflats. We just need more birds to take advantage of it.”

Ohio

The western Lake Erie shoreline is dotted with public and private tracts managed specifically for waterfowl, and both blue-winged and green-winged teal numbers can be outstanding in this region. When the migration begins in earnest, count on this area to consistently produce some good hunts.