IDNR announces state and federal sites to be open for 2026 youth waterfowl hunting seasons

SPRINGFIELD - Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, and other public lands will be open for the 2026 youth waterfowl hunting seasons.

Federal sites that fall under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' waterfowl administrative rule will also be open for the youth hunts and are listed below. At most sites, regulations for the regular waterfowl hunting seasons apply during youth hunts. Hunters should check for site-specific regulations and procedures, as they may vary by location. Bag limits during youth hunts are the same as those for the regular seasons.

Under federal regulations, hunters age 17 and younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers when accompanied by an adult. The accompanying adult may participate in the hunt if the season is open and allowed at the site.

Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license, youth hunting license or apprentice hunting license. Hunters with a regular hunting license may be supervised by an adult age 18 or older. Holders of youth hunting licenses and apprentice hunting licenses must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older. Youth hunters 16 and older must have a federal duck stamp but are not required to have an Illinois duck stamp.

Special youth hunts conducted through the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Permit program or other youth-only hunts at IDNR sites are open only to hunters ages 10-17. The 2026 special hunts include:

• Black Crown Marsh, Oct. 17-18
• Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Salt Creek and Disabled units, Oct. 24
• Larry D. Closson State Habitat Area, Oct. 24
• Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area, Oct. 24-25
• Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Duck Ranch Unit, Oct. 24-25
• Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jan. 30, 2027
• Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jan. 30, 2027

All other youth hunts are open to hunters age 17 and younger.

State and federal sites to be open during the youth waterfowl hunts in the North, Central, South Central, and South zones include the following locations:

North Zone youth waterfowl hunt, Oct. 17-18

Chain O' Lakes State Park

Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area

Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Lake DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area

Sinnissippi Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Mississippi River pools located in the North Zone

William W. Powers State Recreation Area

Central Zone youth waterfowl hunt, Oct. 24-25

Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area

Braidwood Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Freeman Mine

Henderson Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County)

Horseshoe Lake State Park, Gabaret, Mosenthein and Chouteau Island units (Madison County)

Kankakee River State Park

Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Sparland Unit

Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area

Meredosia Lake

Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area, all managed sites

Mississippi River pools located in the Central Zone

Momence Wetlands State Natural Area

Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Quincy Bay

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area

Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area

Sangchris Lake State Park

Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area

Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Starved Rock State Park

Weinberg-King State Park, Spunky Bottoms Unit

Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area

South Zone youth waterfowl hunts, Nov. 7 and Jan. 30, 2027

Bluff Lakes

Cache River State Natural Area

Campbell Pond

Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Cypress Pond State Natural Area

Deer Pond State Natural Area

Devil's Island

Dog Island Wildlife Management Area

Dug Hill State Fish and Wildlife Area

Fort Massac State Park, Kerr Farm Unit

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Alexander County)

Kaskaskia State Fish and Wildlife Area

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

LaRue Swamp

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area - open until Jan. 30, 2027

Mississippi River

Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Oakwood Bottoms

Pyramid State Recreation Area, Captain, Denmark, Galum and East Conant units

Rend Lake Project land and waters

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area

Shawnee National Forest

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area

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