Best Time to See Mallards in Illinois
April, May and March is the best time to see mallards in Illinois. Based on 15,573 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards 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 20, 2026.
15,573 verified observations of mallards in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
2,993 records (19.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 633 | 4.1% |
| February | 799 | 5.1% |
| Marchpeak | 1,910 | 12.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,993 | 19.2% |
| Maypeak | 2,509 | 16.1% |
| June | 1,589 | 10.2% |
| July | 1,156 | 7.4% |
| August | 838 | 5.4% |
| September | 976 | 6.3% |
| October | 793 | 5.1% |
| November | 849 | 5.5% |
| December | 528 | 3.4% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 15,573 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
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 34 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Marbest time | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 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.
Sightings of mallards in Illinois peak in April, when 2,993 of the year's 15,573 verified observations are logged — about 19.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when mallards are hardest to find — December sees just 528 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 Illinois 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 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 mallards in Illinois?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 15,573 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in Illinois?+
December is the quietest month for mallards in Illinois, with only 528 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in Illinois?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Illinois