In spring 1973-75, at least 165,000 Canada geese staged on the St. Lawrence river in Quebec [Canada]. Their overall numbers have increased by 36.5% since the mid 1960''s, but one area, Lake St. Peter, has been the site of a 6-fold increase. The introduction of maize and heavy spring flooding appear to have contributed to the build-up of goose numbers in Lake St. Peter by providing attractive food and roosting sites. During their spring stop-offs in Lake St. Peter, which averaged 32 days (1974-75), the geese flew twice daily to feed on agricultural land up to 13 km from the Lake. About 6 h/day were spent feeding. About 60% of goose feeding on farmland in spring occurred on grassland, 16% on fields of last year''s maize (standing and stubble), 12% on plowed grass and 12% on plowed maize. When compared to the availability of the different field types, the data indicate equal preferences for fields of grass and maize, and avoidance of plowed areas. Differences in usage and preferences were recorded in relation to field location, time of season and severity of flooding. Foods consumed by Canada geese on agricultural land included a wide variety of native and cultivated grasses (foliage, roots and seeds), waste grains and weeds. Grass foliage was the most important item and was consumed in all field types, followed by waste maize kernels. Clover and alfalfa, often readily available in grass fields, were rarely taken. Even heavy grazing by geese in spring did not result in a reduction of the yield of fodder at harvest 2-3 mo. later. A few farmers may have suffered minor economic losses when exceptionally severe goose grazing occurred. Present evidence indicates that in those rare situations where warranted concern for crop yields exists, the problem could be remedied by simple changes in farm husbandry and by the use of scaring devices. The threat of continually increasing numbers of geese in the area in future years may not materialize if spring flood does not continue at the extreme levels recorded in the early 1970''s and if maize becomes a crop of more widespread occurrence through the St. Lawrence.