Dragonflies in Michigan in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Michigan. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 3,911 of the 42,690 sightings logged across the year (9.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Michigan
9.2%
of yearly sightings
3,911
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
42,690
verified records a year
April 0.6%, May 9.2%, June 36.6%. Busiest month is June at 36.6%.
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 |
In Michigan, May carries 9.2% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (0.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (36.6%) after. The busiest month is June (36.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Michigan are Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Ebony Jewelwing2,777 records
- Common Whitetail2,425 records
- Autumn Meadowhawk1,800 records
- Eastern Forktail1,713 records
- Widow Skimmer1,692 records
- Blue Dasher1,619 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Isle Royale National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Michigan.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Michigan
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dragonflies in Michigan in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,911 of the 42,690 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 9.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Michigan?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for dragonflies in Michigan?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 42,690 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Michigan in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Michigan