Best Time to See Mallards in Alaska
May, April and June is the best time to see mallards in Alaska. Based on 1,842 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
1,842 verified observations of mallards in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
May
282 records (15.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 55 | 3% |
| February | 71 | 3.9% |
| March | 117 | 6.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 259 | 14.1% |
| Maypeak | 282 | 15.3% |
| Junepeak | 256 | 13.9% |
| July | 214 | 11.6% |
| August | 189 | 10.3% |
| September | 178 | 9.7% |
| October | 106 | 5.8% |
| November | 62 | 3.4% |
| December | 53 | 2.9% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 1,842 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 27 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Jul | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mallards in Alaska peak in May, when 282 of the year's 1,842 verified observations are logged — about 15.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when mallards are hardest to find — December sees just 53 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Mallard — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see mallards in Alaska
- St. Paul Island
- Gambell (general area)
- Ketchikan (general area)
- Gustavus (general area)
- Mendenhall Wetlands SGR (general area)
- Gustavus--Forelands
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in Alaska?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,842 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for mallards in Alaska, with only 53 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in Alaska?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Alaska