Minnesota Waterfowlers will convene a Duck Summit March 27-28 2026 in Nicollet MN; within walking distance of the famous Swan Lake – often billed as one of the largest freshwater lakes and migratory bird meccas in the United States.
During these times of increasingly liberal hunting regulations the question has been asked “where are all the ducks”? If you have questions, this meeting will have presentations that assess the status of duck populations and the habitats they need to survive. Working with hunters, conservationists, agencies and wildlife professionals we hope to provide answers and start planning for a brighter future.
The Summit is co-sponsored with the Nicollet Conservation Club, Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club and the Christina Ina Anka Lake Association, among others.
The search for answers will start on March 27-28 in Nicollet, Minnesota. Don’t miss this if ducks matter to you.
Friday March 27th
Saturday March 28th
Friday March 27th
Saturday March 28th
If you or your club would like to donate to the MN Duck Summit, checks can be sent to:
Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club
Att: MN Duck Summit
PO Box 221
Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0221
Nicollet High School
1 Pine St
Nicollet, MN 56074
Nicollet Conservation Club
46045 471st Ln
Nicollet, MN 56074
The Friday night Dinner will be a Pork Chop Dinner at The Nicollet Conservation Club.
Minnesota Duck Summit Program
Friday March 27, 2026
1:00 – Welcome
1:10 – Dave Zentner and Matthew Smith. Two hunting and conservation perspectives, older and younger. Why a Summit
Management and harvest questions posed that the audience will be polled on at Summits conclusion.
1:30 – HABITAT PROJECTS and HUNTING EXPERIENCES IN FOUR KEY WATERFOWL AREAS
1:30 – 3:00 – Greater Lake Christina Area. John Lindquist Hunter. MDNR DU
Greater Swan Lake Area. Brian Ebert Hunter. MDNR. DU
3:00 – 3:20 – Break
3:20 – 4:45 – Greater Marsh Lake Area. John Knoublach Hunter. MDNR. PF DU
West Central Minnesota. Tom Kowal Hunter. PF DU
4:45 – 5:00 – Questions and Polling
6:00 – Dinner Nicollet Conservation Club
Minnesota Duck Summit Program
Saturday March 28 , 2026
9:00 – 9:10 – Welcome
9:10 – 9:20 – Welcome by Will Meeks ( USFW). & Dave Trauba (MDNR)
9:20 -9:30 – Dave Zentner and Matthew Smith review Day 1
9:30 – 10:30 – STATUS OF WATERFOWL IN UPPER MIDWEST
Status of Mallards. PhD Todd Arnold
Status of Teal. PhD Todd Arnold
Status of Wood Ducks. MNDNR
10:30 -10:50 – Break
10:50- 12:30 – STATUS OF HABITAT IN MINNESOTA
HAPET
USFWS
MDNR
Ducks Unlimited
Outdoor Heritage Fund
12:30-1:40 – LUNCH
1:40 – 2:55 – CONSERVATION ISSUES BEYOND HABITAT
Disturbance. Tennessee Tech
Invasive Cattails. U of Minnesota
Change in Minnesota Wetlands Law. BSWR
2:55 – 3:15 – Break
3:15 – 4:15 – HARVEST AND REGULATIONS
National Harvest Strategy. USFW
State Harvest Strategy. MDNR
4:15 – 5:00 – WRAP UP
Dave and Matthew summarize meeting, and remind audience of harvest and regulation questions
posed at beginning of Summit
Audience is polled
Summit Organizers Polled
Where do we go from here ?
Comfort Inn & Suites North Mankato
2000 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 388-3800
(507) 388-3801
15 Rooms blocked, 12 – 2 Queen Beds, 3 – 1 King Beds, both $109 per night
Courtyard by Marriott Mankato
901 Raintree Rd
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 388-1234
15 Rooms blocked, $139 + tax per night
TownePlace Suites Mankato
911 Raintree Rd
Mankato, MN 56001
15 Rooms blocked, $149 + tax per night
Country Inn & Suites Mankato – Hotel & Conference Center
1900 Premier Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
15 Rooms blocked, $135 per night
