The objective for public hunting of waterfowl in Clinton Lakes County Park is to manage nuisance geese. While geese are a special focus of the hunting program, successful applicants may hunt any waterfowl species, subject only to current federal and state game laws. An equally important objective is to provide area residents with a recreational opportunity to responsibly harvest an abundant source of nutritious food.
The local goose population is found in area parks year-round. Goose droppings deposited on swimming beaches, picnic areas, trails and other areas is unpleasant to view and recreate around. Droppings carried by rainwater into lakes and streams increases the bacteria found in the water which can cause waterborne illness in humans. Once the presence of bacteria reaches unhealthy levels, swimming beaches must be closed to the public.
The year-round resident goose population found in Clinton Lakes and Francis Motz County Parks is estimated at several hundred. In the fall, the population swells to one-thousand or more birds when migratory flocks join the local birds. Unmanaged, the goose population will continue to grow making an existing bad situation worse. The Parks and Green Space Commission will accept applications for a managed waterfowl hunt on ten (10) days in 2026.
The deadline to submit an application for the drawing is Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 11:59pm.
The drawing will be conducted on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to select six (7) successful applicants for each of the ten (10) days when waterfowl hunting will be allowed in Clinton Lakes County Park. Applicants whom applied by the deadline will receive emailed notify by Wednesday, September 2, 2026, of drawing.
Successful applicants will be provided a Hunting Permit for their approved date/s. Each permit holder may be accompanied by up to two guest hunters, as further defined in the conditions page of the permit.
The location of the 2026 waterfowl hunt is Clinton Lakes County Park, 4665 N. DeWitt Road, St. Johns, MI 48879. The 272-acre park was acquired by Clinton County in November 2013. The park contains a 90-acre lake and a 12-acre lake with a combined shoreline of approximately three miles. Hunting is an important way to manage the flock by providing area residents with an enjoyable outdoor recreation activity and food for the family table, while dispersing geese and other waterfowl across the many other water bodies and wetlands in the area.”
Full details can be found on the application and permit forms available on the Clinton County website at Form Center • Waterfowl Hunting Application – Clinton Lakes. Questions can be directed to Clinton County Parks and Green Space office at parks@clinton-county.org or 989.224.5128.
