Duck hunters encouraged to plan ahead

Print Page

Duck hunters encouraged to plan ahead

Tuesday 17 March, 2026

With duck hunting season approaching, people are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the rules for hunting at Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) lakes, dams and reservoirs.

The Victorian Government has announced the 2026 duck hunting season will run from 18 March to 8 June.

Duck hunting is permitted at the following GMW storages: Cairn Curran Reservoir, Hume Reservoir (Victorian lakebed areas), Tullaroop Reservoir, Lake Eppalock, Laanecoorie Reservoir, Lake Eildon, Lake Buffalo, Waranga Basin, Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake, Lake Nillahcootie, and Lake Nagambie.

Some wetlands may be closed to hunting. Hunters should regularly check the GMA website for updates on wetland management actions, including any wetlands that may be closed to hunting to protect significant concentrations of rare or threatened species, at

www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/wetland-closures-duck-season

GMW Water Storage Services general manager Jon McKeown said people visiting GMW storages during this time should be aware of where they can and can't hunt.

"Duck hunting is permitted at several of our lakes, dams and reservoirs, but there are still parts of these storages where hunting is prohibited," he said.

"It is important people learn which areas hunting is allowed in before they visit, as some of these areas have changed since previous seasons.

"Hunters will also need to get landholder consent to hunt or pass through private property that adjoins GMW land, waterways, and storages."

Duck hunters visiting GMW-managed storages must follow the arrangements laid out by the Victorian Government.

This includes bag limits, what hours of the day hunting can occur, which species can be hunted and wetland management actions.

"We ask everyone who visits our storages makes safety a priority, and respects both the environment and other members of the public," Mr McKeown said.

"If people have any questions about where they can hunt at our storages they can phone us to get clarification."

Information on duck hunting at GMW storages, including maps specifying where duck hunting is permitted, can be found on the GMW website:

www.gmwater.com.au/duckhunting

Details on the arrangements for the 2026 duck hunting season can be found on the Game Management Authority website:

www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/duck-season-arrangements

Latest News

Country News Columns

Customer Newsletters

Blue-Green Algae (BGA) Alerts

Reports and Publications

Podcast: Talking Water with GMW

Top

Print Page