Best Time to See Bobcats in Illinois
February, January and April is the best time to see bobcats in Illinois. Based on 145 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bobcats are most active across the year in Illinois.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
145 verified observations of bobcats in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bobcats are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
February
22 records (15.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 19 | 13.1% |
| Februarypeak | 22 | 15.2% |
| March | 12 | 8.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 14 | 9.7% |
| May | 12 | 8.3% |
| June | 10 | 6.9% |
| July | 7 | 4.8% |
| August | 10 | 6.9% |
| September | 8 | 5.5% |
| October | 12 | 8.3% |
| November | 8 | 5.5% |
| December | 11 | 7.6% |
Bobcats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | 145 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bobcats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bobcats sit around 22 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Febbest time | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bobcats in Illinois:
Sightings of bobcats in Illinois peak in February, when 22 of the year's 145 verified observations are logged — about 15.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, January and April.
The quietest stretch is July, September and November, when bobcats are hardest to find — July sees just 7 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bobcats you are most likely to encounter in Illinois are Bobcat — 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 bobcats in Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bobcats in Illinois?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, January and April, based on 145 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bobcats hardest to see in Illinois?+
July is the quietest month for bobcats in Illinois, with only 7 verified records.
Are bobcats active year-round in Illinois?+
Bobcats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in February.
More places to see bobcats
More wildlife in Illinois