The Freshwater Sea Duck Mecca: Why the Great Lakes is Your Affordable Long-tailed Duck Dream
Every serious waterfowl hunter knows the allure of the sea duck—the fast, tough, big-water birds that challenge your skills and fill your wall with truly spectacular trophies. And when you think sea duck, you probably picture a remote trip to the New England coast, the Canadian Maritimes, or even Alaska.
I’m here to tell you to look closer to home. Right here on the vast, churning waters of Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, we have a sea duck mecca that delivers all the thrills without the logistical nightmare or the crushing price tag of an ocean hunt.
The Arctic Migrant: Hunting the Long-tail
The star of our winter season is the spectacular Long-tailed Duck, known to many as the Oldsquaw. These are Arctic ducks that migrate down to the deep, cold waters of the Great Lakes to winter. Watching a flock of mature drakes—with their incredible winter plumage and signature long tails—bomb your decoy spread is an experience that rivals any coastal hunt. Their speed and acrobatic flight path make them one of the most demanding targets in the waterfowl world.
From early November through the end of the year, when the deep cold sets in, the long-tails concentrate in large rafts on the open water, ready to work a disciplined, well-placed rig. This is the prime time to join us.
The Real Advantage: World-Class Hunt, Midwestern Price
Let’s talk cost. A dedicated guided trip to a remote coastal location can easily run thousands of dollars just for the flight, travel, and multiple-day package.
Hunting Long-tailed Ducks on the Great Lakes is the intelligent, affordable alternative.
By hunting Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, you get a genuinely authentic, big-water sea duck experience without the need for cross-continent air travel and the associated high-end logistics. For hunters in the Midwest and surrounding states, our trips are an easily accessible drive away, drastically reducing the overall cost of your adventure. You are not sacrificing quality or challenge—you're just making a smarter, more efficient choice to pursue your sea duck dream right here on the "Third Coast."
Our Approach: Customizing Your Big-Water Experience
Here at Reel Fishn LLC, we understand that not every hunter wants the same extreme experience. That's why we offer a choice of premier hunting platforms on the Great Lakes:
The Layout Boat Thrill: For the ultimate, immersive experience, we run low-profile UFO layout boats. These are anchored right in the heart of our massive long-line decoy spreads, putting you inches above the water for fast-paced, close-up shooting action. We use a tender boat to ensure safe, secure transfers out to the rig and back.
The Pontoon Comfort Hunt: For groups seeking a more relaxed pace, or those who prefer more space and cover, we offer comfortable pontoon hunts. This option is fantastic for groups up to six and includes a hot breakfast on the water to fuel your morning hunt.
Whether you're after a limit of magnificent Long-tails and scoters, or prefer a mixed bag of fast-flying divers like bluebills, redheads, and goldeneyes during the early season, we have the specialized equipment and experience to put you on the birds.
Your Great Lakes sea duck trophy awaits. Don't waste time and money on the coasts—come experience the best freshwater sea duck hunting right here in Michigan.
Prime Long-tail Season: Early November through December.
If you are interested in a duck hunting trip on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay you can check our availability and book your trip from on our booking page.
