Duck Seasons - Lake Huron Layout Duck Hunting
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Expertguided layout duck hunting on Lake Huron watersMorning departures from Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron portsGroup adventures designed for 610 hunters per trip
When duck season opens on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, serious waterfowlers know where to find the action. Captain Adam and Captain Mark have been guiding layout boat hunts in these waters for years, and they've got the spots dialed in where diving ducks stage up during migration. This isn't your typical marsh hunt - we're talking about open water layout hunting where redheads and canvasbacks raft up by the thousands. You'll be hunting from low-profile layout boats that put you right at water level, giving you shot opportunities that'll get your heart pumping. We take groups of up to 6 hunters, so bring your buddies and get ready for some of the best diving duck action in the Great Lakes region.
Your hunt starts before sunrise when we meet at one of several launch points along Saginaw Bay or Lake Huron - we'll let you know the exact spot at least 24 hours ahead based on wind conditions and where the birds are working. Captain Adam and Captain Mark read these waters like a book, and they'll position the layout boats in the flight paths where ducks have been trading. The beauty of hunting the Great Lakes is the sheer number of birds that funnel through here during peak migration. We're talking rafts of divers that stretch for miles, and when they start moving, the action can be non-stop. Morning hunts typically run from legal shooting time until around 11 AM, though we've had days where birds keep flying well into the afternoon. The open water setting means you'll see ducks working from way out, giving you time to get ready and call them in. These aren't spooky puddle ducks - diving ducks commit hard when they want to land, making for some spectacular shooting.
Layout hunting is a whole different game than field or marsh hunting, and that's what makes it so addictive. You'll be lying flat in specially designed layout boats that sit just inches above the water surface, making you nearly invisible to passing ducks. The boats are surprisingly comfortable and stable, even in choppy conditions that Lake Huron is known for. We set large spreads of diving duck decoys - sometimes 200 or more - to simulate the massive rafts that these birds naturally form on big water. The key to layout hunting success is reading the weather and water conditions. Overcast days with a light chop are absolute gold, as ducks move more freely and the low light keeps them from picking you out. Captain Adam and Captain Mark position the tender boat upwind from the layout spread, staying far enough away not to spook birds but close enough for safety and quick pickup between flights. Wind direction drives everything - we're constantly adjusting the spread and boat positions based on how ducks are approaching. The terrain here is pure open water hunting, with depths ranging from 15 to 40 feet where we typically set up. This deep water is exactly what diving ducks prefer, as it holds the freshwater mussels and aquatic vegetation they feed on during migration.
Redheads are the bread and butter of Lake Huron duck hunting, and for good reason. These medium-sized diving ducks show up in massive numbers during peak migration, typically from mid-October through November. Drakes are easy to spot with their distinctive rusty-red heads and black breasts, while hens sport a more subdued brown coloring that blends perfectly with the choppy water. What makes redheads so exciting to hunt is their tendency to fly in large flocks and decoy aggressively. They'll often make multiple passes over your spread, giving you plenty of opportunities to pick your shots. Redheads are also excellent table fare - their diet of aquatic plants and invertebrates gives them a clean, mild flavor that even non-duck hunters appreciate. The best time to target them is during those classic Great Lakes weather fronts when northwest winds push birds south along the shoreline.
Canvasbacks are the crown jewel of any diving duck spread, and Lake Huron produces some true giants. These sleek, fast-flying ducks are built for speed with their distinctive sloped profiles and powerful wing beats. Drake canvasbacks are stunning birds with bright white bodies, black chests, and rich chestnut heads that seem to glow in the early morning light. They're notoriously wary and often require perfect conditions to decoy well, which makes harvesting one even more rewarding. Canvasbacks typically show up a bit later in the season than redheads, with peak action happening in November when cold fronts really start pushing birds south. They prefer deeper water and larger open areas, which is exactly what we have access to on Lake Huron. When a flock of cans commits to your spread, they come in fast and low, testing your wing-shooting skills. The meat is considered among the finest of all waterfowl - rich and flavorful with none of the muddy taste associated with some puddle ducks. Captain Adam always says that a limit mixed with redheads and canvasbacks represents the pinnacle of Great Lakes waterfowling.
Layout hunting on Lake Huron isn't something you experience everywhere, and the window for prime conditions is shorter than you think. Captain Adam and Captain Mark have put in the time to learn these waters inside and out, from understanding daily weather patterns to knowing exactly where birds want to be based on wind and water conditions. The camaraderie of hunting with your group while lying low to the water as hundreds of ducks work overhead is something every serious waterfowler needs to experience. We provide all the specialized layout boats, decoys, and local knowledge - you just need to bring your gear, shells, and hunting license. Duck season dates change each year, but the quality of hunting on these waters remains consistently world-class. Don't wait until the last minute to book your hunt, as peak migration dates fill up fast with returning customers who know what kind of action Lake Huron delivers. Give us a call and let's get your group set up for a hunt that'll have you planning your
Canvasbacks are the king of diving ducks on these waters, and for good reason. These big, fast-flying birds prefer the deeper sections of Saginaw Bay and the main lake where they can dive 15-20 feet down for wild celery and other vegetation. The drakes have that distinctive sloped profile with a rich chestnut head, while hens are more grayish-brown but share that same sleek look. Peak season runs from mid-October into December when they stage here during migration. Cans are prized for their speed - they can hit 70 mph in flight - and they're considered the finest eating waterfowl in North America. They can be tough to decoy since they're naturally wary birds. The secret is setting up in open water at least 12 feet deep with a large spread of canvasback decoys. Don't crowd them - give plenty of space between your blocks.
Redheads are solid medium-sized divers that show up in good numbers on Lake Huron during fall migration, usually October through November. These birds love the deeper water offshore where they can dive down 8-12 feet for aquatic plants and small clams. Males are easy to spot with that rusty red head and black chest, while hens are more brownish overall. They're strong fliers but tend to raft up in big groups during the day before moving closer to shore in late afternoon. What makes them special is they're excellent table fare - some say the best eating duck on the Great Lakes. They can be particular about decoys though. My tip: use a good mix of redhead and canvasback decoys in deeper water, and be patient. Once they commit to your spread, they usually come in groups of six or more.
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