Best Time to See Dragonflies in Michigan
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Michigan. Based on 42,690 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Michigan.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Ringed Boghaunter · Patrick Hanly CC BY
Spatterdock Darner · Thomas Koffel CC BY
Crimson-ringed Whiteface · Forest Botial-Jarvis CC BY
42,690 verified observations of dragonflies in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
June
15,640 records (36.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 0% |
| February | 16 | 0% |
| March | 35 | 0.1% |
| April | 275 | 0.6% |
| May | 3,911 | 9.2% |
| Junepeak | 15,640 | 36.6% |
| Julypeak | 12,007 | 28.1% |
| Augustpeak | 6,808 | 15.9% |
| September | 2,623 | 6.1% |
| October | 1,133 | 2.7% |
| November | 217 | 0.5% |
| December | 8 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ebony Jewelwing | 2,777 |
| Common Whitetail | 2,425 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 1,800 |
| Eastern Forktail | 1,713 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,692 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,619 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 1,522 |
| Chalk-fronted Corporal | 918 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Michigan
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 16°F | 2.3" |
| Feb | 28°F | 13°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 40°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Apr | 51°F | 33°F | 2.8" |
| May | 65°F | 45°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 55°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 3.6" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 59°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 55°F | 42°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 30°F | 2.5" |
| Dec | 34°F | 23°F | 2.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Michigan. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Michigan:
Sightings of dragonflies in Michigan peak in June, when 15,640 of the year's 42,690 verified observations are logged — about 36.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December, when dragonflies are hardest to find — December sees just 8 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Michigan are Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk — 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 dragonflies in Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park — National Park
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park — National Battlefield Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Keweenaw National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Michigan?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 42,690 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Michigan?+
December is the quietest month for dragonflies in Michigan, with only 8 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Michigan?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Michigan, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Michigan