Waterfowl recruitment was studied in relation to breeding populations,habitat management, and predators at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Schwob Marsh and Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Areas in north-central Iowa, March-August, 1984-85. Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) and 11 species of ducks used the study area for breeding grounds during 1984-85. Wood ducks (Aix sponsa), blue-winged teal (Anas discors), and mallards (A. platyrhynchos) were the most common breeding ducks, comprising 92% of the total duck breeding population each year (302 pairs in 1984, 512 pairs in 1985). Wood duck and Canada goose populations have been increasing steadily in recent years because of high nesting success and homing. Dabbling duck populations were largest in 1985, when local drought conditions prevailed, but water levels of study-area wetlands were maintained with water-control structures. Wetlands that had undergone partial or complete drawdowns before being reflooded were use.