Great Lakes Duck Hunting Season with Reel Fish'n
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Fastpaced diver and sea duck hunting on Great Lakes watersMorning hunts last 6 hours or until limits reachedLayout hunts and comfortable pontoon options for 2 guests
When duck season opens on the Great Lakes, there's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of fast-paced diver duck hunting in these massive waters. At Reel Fish'n LLC, we've been guiding hunters through some of the most productive waterfowl hunting territory in North America, where the open water attracts huge rafts of divers and sea ducks that'll test your shooting skills and keep you coming back for more. This isn't your typical marsh hunt – we're talking about world-class wing shooting opportunities on waters that stretch beyond the horizon, with birds coming in fast and low over the waves.
Our Great Lakes duck hunting trips are built around 6-hour morning hunts that put you right in the thick of the action. We run two distinct hunting styles depending on what you're after. The layout hunts are where the real excitement happens – we get you positioned low to the water in specialized boats, putting you face-to-face with incoming divers at ranges that'll make your heart pound. These birds commit hard and fast, giving you split-second shooting opportunities that separate the seasoned hunters from the weekend warriors. For groups wanting a more comfortable setup, our pontoon hunts offer stable shooting platforms while still delivering top-rated waterfowl action. The beauty of hunting the Great Lakes is the unpredictability – massive flocks can appear out of nowhere, and when the weather pushes birds around, the shooting can be absolutely phenomenal. We hunt until limits are filled or the 6-hour window closes, but remember that Mother Nature calls the shots when it comes to bird movement and weather conditions.
Great Lakes waterfowl hunting demands specialized techniques that inland hunters often haven't experienced. The open water environment means we're dealing with different wind patterns, wave action, and bird behavior compared to your typical pothole or marsh hunting. Layout hunting requires you to stay low and motionless until birds are committed – these divers have incredible eyesight and will flare hard if they spot movement. We position our spreads in specific depth zones where different species prefer to feed, using heavy decoy anchors designed for big water conditions. Wind direction is everything out here, and we're constantly reading weather patterns to predict where birds will want to be. The Great Lakes create their own weather systems, and experienced hunters know that storm fronts often trigger major bird movement. We use marine-grade electronics to track weather and navigate safely, but the real skill comes from reading the birds themselves. Divers and sea ducks have distinct flight patterns – they tend to fly in tight formations close to the water, often following shoreline contours or moving between feeding and roosting areas. Learning to call these species effectively takes practice, as their vocalizations are quite different from your typical mallard hen chatter.
Canvasback hunting on the Great Lakes represents some of the finest waterfowling opportunities you'll find anywhere. These birds are the Ferrari of the duck world – fast, sleek, and incredibly challenging to hit consistently. Cans typically show up in good numbers during late October through November, forming massive rafts in deeper water areas where they dive for wild celery and other aquatic vegetation. What makes them special is their incredible speed and the way they commit to decoy spreads. When a flock of canvasback decides to work your setup, they come in like fighter jets, often requiring quick reflexes and precise lead calculations. The drakes are absolutely gorgeous with their distinctive sloping profile and rich chestnut heads, making them a true trophy for any serious waterfowler.
Oldsquaw, now called Long-tailed Duck, provide some of the most exciting and unpredictable hunting you'll experience on the Great Lakes. These sea ducks are notorious for their erratic flight patterns and incredible speed, often appearing in mixed flocks that test every skill you've developed as a hunter. They peak during the late season, particularly in December and January, when harsh weather pushes them into more accessible areas. What hunters love about longtails is their tendency to circle and re-circle decoy spreads, giving multiple shooting opportunities if you can connect with their unique calling sequences. The mature drakes with their distinctive long tail feathers are absolutely stunning, and their habit of flying in tight, fast-moving groups creates shot opportunities that demand quick decision-making and smooth gun handling.
Bufflehead might be smaller than the other species we target, but don't let their size fool you – these little rockets provide some of the most challenging wing shooting you'll find. They're incredibly fast and agile, with an ability to change direction that'll humble even experienced hunters. Bufflehead are often the most consistent species throughout the season, showing up in good numbers from early season through late winter. What makes them exciting to hunt is their willingness to work decoy spreads aggressively, often landing right in your setup before taking off again in explosive bursts of speed. The drakes are striking with their bold black and white plumage, and while they might not fill your game bag like bigger ducks, the satisfaction of consistently connecting on these speed demons is what keeps hunters coming back season after season.
Great Lakes duck hunting with Reel Fish'n LLC offers something you simply can't find in typical waterfowl destinations. The combination of challenging species, open water hunting techniques, and the raw power of these massive lakes creates hunting experiences that stick with you long after the season ends. Our 2-hunter capacity ensures you get personalized attention and the best possible shooting opportunities, while our knowledge of these waters gives you access to productive areas that casual hunters never find. Whether you choose the heart-pounding action of layout hunting or prefer the comfort of our pontoon setup, you're going to experience waterfowling at its finest. The Great Lakes don't give up their birds easily, but when everything comes together – the weather, the bird movement, and your shooting – there's no better place to be with a shotgun in your hands. Don't wait until the season is half over to book your hunt. The best days fill up fast, and once you've
This 1986 22' Custom Starcraft Center Console packs serious punch with its 250HP Evinrude engine, getting you to prime hunting spots fast across the Great Lakes. Built for waterfowl hunters who want performance and reliability, this boat handles the open water conditions where divers and sea ducks congregate. The wireless trolling motor lets you approach blinds quietly without spooking birds, while the GPS keeps you on target even in low-visibility morning conditions. VHF radio ensures you stay connected with other hunters and weather updates, crucial when chasing flights across big water. The fish finder doubles as a depth sounder, helping navigate shallow bays where puddle ducks feed. With space for 2 hunters plus gear, this center console design gives you 360-degree shooting lanes and quick repositioning between setups. Whether you're running layout boats for divers or working shoreline structure for mallards, this Starcraft delivers the speed and maneuverability serious duck hunters demand on the Great Lakes.
Buffleheads are the smallest diving ducks we hunt regularly, but don't let their size fool you - they're scrappy little fighters that provide great sport. Drakes have that bold black and white pattern with puffy white heads, while hens are mostly gray with white cheek patches. These birds love protected bays and areas with 8-15 feet of water where they dive for insects and small fish. October through November gives you the best action during their migration push. Hunters enjoy buffleheads because they decoy well and their small size makes for challenging wing shooting - they're quick and unpredictable in flight. They also taste surprisingly good for such small birds. The trick with buffies is using smaller decoys and keeping your spread tight. They like to land right in the pocket of your setup, so leave some open water in the middle of your blocks.
Canvasbacks are the king of diving ducks and one of the most prized birds you'll encounter on the Great Lakes. These heavy-bodied ducks run about 2-3 pounds with distinctive sloped profiles and rusty heads on the drakes. They prefer deeper water, usually 6-20 feet, where they dive for wild celery and other aquatic vegetation. Peak hunting happens during November migration when cold fronts push big rafts through our waters. What makes cans special is their speed - they fly fast and commit hard to decoys when they want to. The meat is absolutely top-notch, some say the best eating duck there is. My tip: set your decoys in deeper water near drop-offs and use a mix of can and bluebill blocks. When they circle, stay still - they're studying your spread closely before committing.
Long-tailed ducks are true Great Lakes specialists that show up in good numbers once the weather turns cold. These medium-sized sea ducks are built for rough water and can dive down 200 feet, though they usually work 15-40 feet deep around our reefs and drop-offs. The drakes sport those distinctive long tail feathers and constantly chatter with their unique calls. Best hunting comes late season from December through February when ice starts forming - they're one of the last ducks to migrate south. What draws hunters to them is the challenge and their wild nature. They're incredibly wary and fly in tight, fast flocks. The key is hunting them where they naturally raft up - usually over rocky bottom or near underwater structure. Use white decoys mixed with darker ones and be ready for quick shots.
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